Calhoun County Life Fall/Winter 2013 by Publication Printer

Calhoun CountyLife A GUIDE FOR VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS

Featuring... Port Lavaca Point Comfort Seadrift Port O'Connor

FALL/WINTER 2013

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Calhoun County Life â&#x20AC;˘ Fall/Winter 2013

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Calhoun County Life â&#x20AC;˘ Fall/Winter 2013

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★ Bakery ★ Bank ★ Business Center ★ Deli 101 Calhoun Plaza • Port Lavaca ★ Floral ★ Main: 361-552-7523 ★ Pharmacy: 361-552-4563 ★ Fuel Store Hours ★ National & Store Brands Pharmacy Hours: Daily Monday - Friday: 8 a.m - 7 p.m. ★ Pharmacy 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday: ★ Pharmacy Drive Thru Sunday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Welcome to Calhoun County BY TANIA FRENCH PUBLISHER

So you came to Calhoun County for some fun in the sun. You may be surprised to find that Calhoun County offers that and more – and all for little or no cost. In fact, Calhoun County offers several activities from which to choose. Holidays are a special time in Calhoun County. In Port Lavaca, Christmas on the Bay will kick off Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a special tree lighting. Attendees will be treated to music, a visit with Santa Claus and ice skating. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and roast a marshmallow around one of the fire pits, before making S’mores. The holiday celebration continues with the Port Lavaca lighted parade Thursday, Dec. 5, and the Port O’Connor Lighted Boat Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7. Details on both events may be found elsewhere

in this guide. Cultural enthusiasts will want to be sure to take in a performance at Main Street Theatre, which produces several plays a year featuring local talent. History buffs should be sure to drop by the county museum, which features the La Salle Odyssey. Hatch Bend Country Club is just a short distance away and will appease the golfer in the group. This nine-hole course is played as an 18 and is open to the public. Port Lavaca, the hub of Calhoun County, is also home of the Twin Dolphins Theater, playing all of the new hit movies you want to see. Visitors who want to keep in shape during the winter season should visit the local YMCA. You do not have to stop doing the outdoor activities you enjoy just because the winter season is

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upon us. With few exceptions, wintertime in Calhoun County offers fun in the sun all year around to those seeking warm sunshine, relaxing walks on the beach and the best fishing around. Calhoun County’s long stretch of beaches provides a place for fishing, swimming, boating, beach combing and fun in the sun. Calhoun County is home to Lighthouse Beach in Port Lavaca; Magnolia, Indianola and Alamo beaches; Seadrift Bayfront Park in Seadrift; and Front Beach in Port O’Connor. Each beach has picnic facilities and places to launch your boat. For the fishermen and women, Calhoun County is the place to be. Our bays are teeming with redfish, trout, flounder, drum and dozens of other species. Offshore fishing expeditions are also available for a fee through one of the many licensed guides. Visitors with youngsters will want to be sure to stop by Bayfront Peninsula Park, which includes a splash pad and pirate ship park feature.

Tania French Editor and Publisher

www.txtraditions.com

234 E. Main •Port Lavaca, Tx 361-553-5555 Mon-Wed: 11-2 & 5-8:30 • Thurs-Fri: 11-2 & 5-9 Sat: 11-9 & Sun 11-2

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Staff Writers: Sherry Ficklen Kayla Meyer Melony Overton John Verser Jay Workman Creative Director: DD Turner Advertising: Christy Aguilar Betty Birdwell Ashley Kontnier Brandee Vickery Composition: Special Contributors:

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For the Winter Texan, Calhoun County has numerous recreational vehicle parks from which to choose. You will surely want to check out all the many attractions that make this a paradise to those who visit and those who choose to call it home. We have excellent schools and health care, friendly churches, great people, rich history, wonderful shops and super restaurants. We invite you to take a tour through our visitor/newcomer guide. We believe it paints a pretty good picture of what we see as paradise, and we hope you will find all the information for which you are looking. We also hope you patronize the businesses in this guide. It is through their support we are able to bring you what we feel is a complete taste of Calhoun County. Welcome to Calhoun County. Whether it is for a night, a season, or a lifetime, we hope you enjoy your stay,

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Mac Sistrunk Emily Allen Brush Freeman Pat Hathcock Bret Williams

Visit us online at www.portlavacawave.com or email us at editor@plwave.com.

Port Lavaca Wave 107 E. Austin Street Port Lavaca, TX 77979 361-552-9788 PortLavacaWave.com Calhoun County Life Visitor and Newcomers Guide is published semi-annually. Additional copies available by contacting the Port Lavaca Wave. For advertising information, call 361-552-9788. On the cover: Despite an afternoon rain shower, local resident Tracy Horejsi, and his young friend Yitzi Mansfield, 4, of Des Plaines, Ill prepare to fish while spending an afternoon in the Magnolia Beach area. Cover inset: Before sending it back to the water, Yitzi Mansfield shows off the small fish he caught while visiting Calhoun County over Labor Day weekend. (Photos by Tania French)

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Ring in the holidays on the Texas coast Ice skating, hot chocolate, S’mores and more! By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Christmas in Calhoun County means a week of free activities filled with hot chocolate and S’mores, a lighted tree and parade, ice skating and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The holiday season will officially kick off in Port Lavaca Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a tree lighting at 6 p.m. at Bayfront Peninsula Park, sponsored by the City of Port Lavaca and the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce.

About 1,000 people are expected to attend. While those in attendance listen to Christmas music, tell Santa what they want for Christmas, sip hot chocolate and roast marshmallows over three fire pits to make S’mores, others can enjoy the ice skating rink open from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The holiday celebrations continue with Thursday’s Lighted Christmas Parade, with the theme “A Redneck Christmas.” The parade starts at dark beginning at the Sandcrab Stadium parking lot, and travels to

Virginia Street and ends downtown on Main Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will ride in a fire engine while local schools, businesses and organizations participate in the parade. A special shopping day, “Christmas on Main Street” starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, sponsored by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce. Shoppers can enjoy entertainment, crafts and food vendors. For more information, check online at www.plwave.com for schedules and changes.

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Plenty of places for Wint

A pier overlooks the man-made lake a Lavaca. Come spring, RV resort guests freshwater redfish. (Photo by Melony Ov By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE

Anna and Ken Bivin, along with their two dogs, Pepper and Clarabell, live on a boat at the Nautical Landings Marina in Port Lavaca. The marina accommodates boats of many different sizes and is one of several places to stay while in Calhoun County. (Photo by Kayla Meyer)

Those looking to lodge in Calhoun County for the fall and winter months will find that the water is not only for fishing, but for living upon as well. While some visitors prefer to stay in an recreational vehicle in parks located throughout the county, others enjoy living on a sailboat or cabin cruiser. As of October 2013, 10 boats in the Nautical Landings Marina in Port Lavaca had people living permanently or part time on them, said Darren Gurley, public works director for Port Lavaca. The marina offers many amenities, including a day room that has a bathroom with a shower, a kitchen, a living room with a television and Wi-Fi. “We have 10 different boats with people living on them,” Gurley said. “Most are sailboats, but some are cabin cruisers.” One person who lives on a boat while staying in Port Lavaca is Michael Collins. “I live in Tyler. It’s about a six-hour drive away, and I’ll come down for a few weeks at a time. Sometimes I go sailing, and sometimes I’ll work on the boat,” Collins said. “This is one of the most economical places to keep your boat” See page 26

By MELONY AND KAYLA PORT LAVACA W

Recreationa a home away Texans, Texan during the col RV park na Texas Lakesid 44, Lavaca Ba in Calhoun visitors who l those who hai Calhoun C parks located for travelers t The possib commerce, w exist within visitors to live for a few days RV park ow know visitors in a while, th treasure in th is as unique a

Her name i The Susie again on the a converted co serves as a re Cottages and Ave. in Seadri Owned Rossello and h and the cotta San Antonio B In 2012, the scrap pile aft oysters and s years. But John up fishing ve vacation renta “I got this make a room harbor every guys. I told o for a boat, and door, and told about to be cu

ter Texans to play and stay

at the Texas Lakeside RV Resort in Port can fish the lake for bass, blue gill and verton)

Y OVERTON A MEYER WAVE

al vehicle parks can be y from home for Winter ns and anyone in-between lder months. ames like Breezy Palms, de RV Resort and Beacon ay RV and Waterfront RV County attract annual live in Texas all the way to il from northern climates. County has several RV d throughout the county to park and stay awhile. bilities for entertainment, worship and medical care n the county allowing e, recreate, bank and shop s to six months and more. wners eventually come to s by name, and every once hese travelers can find a he sand, a place to stay that as the county.

is SusieBelle eBelle may never float San Antonio Bay, but as ommercial fishing boat it ental at the Breezy Palms RV, located at 101 E. Bay ift. d and operated by John his wife, Susan, SusieBelle ages sit right across from Bay. e boat was headed to the ter trawling the bay for shrimp for more than 30

saw more than a used essel. He saw a unique al. crazy idea in my head to out of a boat. I walk the morning and I talk to the one of them I am looking d one day he knocks on my d me about a boat that was ut into scrap,” John said.

Douglas Walker Sr. and his wife, Mary Jo, of Port O’Connor, own and operate Beacon 44 RV Park located at 1982 W. Harrison St. The couple host visitors to Calhoun County from all over the United States and abroad. (Photo by Melony Overton)

“Funny how these things happen.” The 200,000-pound boat was pulled by tractor from Swan Point down Main Street to the RV park. “They could barely pull it out of the water it was so heavy. It took a day or two to get it from the trailer to the ground. We stabilized it and secured it with steel rebar and poured another 30,000 pounds of concrete in it. It will never move or float again,” he said. Rossello worked through the summer and his labor of love took more than eight months to complete. First, he removed the motor and the mast from the 10-foot by 35-foot boat. Next, Rossello installed the plumbing, electrical and insulation before painting and decorating what amounts to one big room, he said. “It was like building a house in a boat,” Rossello said. “There were a few times that I thought this was a bad idea because there is nothing square in a boat. There is a lot of wasted space where it goes into the bow because that part is so narrow.” The boat was renamed over the years, but Rossello settled on the name SusieBelle. The furnished rental sleeps six with rates starting at $129 per night. “I’m sure a lot of people think about doing things like this, but putting in the work it requires is the hard part,” Rossello said. So far, Rossello’s quirky idea for a vacation rental has been a hit. “It fits in perfectly, and has worked out real well. People love it. They say it’s fun,” he said. “I like to see their reaction. People say, ‘Wow. It’s bigger than we thought.’ Some people request it.” One day, Rossello would like to put in another rental boat like SusieBelle. “I would like to get a school bus and make it into something beautiful. I would like to get a sailboat, too, a fixer upper,” he said. Breezy Palms is Rossello’s second RV Park venture. “We started about four years ago

in June 2009. I had built and sold the Lazy Longhorn RV Park in Victoria and moved to Seadrift and bought lots in 2005,” Rossello said. “We didn’t develop it for a year or two after, trying to decide what we wanted to do. “We had the idea to build cottages. We saw how the town was growing, the business from plant, so we decided to put in a couple cottages. We started with cottage A and B then we did C and D. We added one at a time.” There are six cottages plus the SusieBelle and one RV available. Additionally, there are eight spaces where people can bring their own RV. Breezy Palms also has two cabanas, barbecue pits and Wi-Fi access. “We have one RV we rent out, and the other one is the SusieBelle which is on an RV site. The rest are 30 and 50 amp sites. An eight-RV site is small compared to Port Lavaca, but some people like small and quaint,” Rossello said. The small and quaint atmosphere is what Larry Goodwin enjoys about staying at the Breezy Palms Cottages and RV when he vacations in Seadrift. Goodwin is from Florida and he said he enjoys the location of the park. “The fact that it’s right there on the water and you can walk down to the park and read the newspaper or walk up to town and go eat at a Mexican restaurant, it’s nice. Everything is within walking distance. You don’t always have to start the truck and drive somewhere,” Goodwin said. Goodwin added that Seadrift is a good location within the United States for him to be able to meet up with friends from out of state. “The last time we were there, it’s been a year now. We’re hoping to come this winter. We plan to meet friends from South Dakota. Seadrift is right in the center,” he said. Another advantage to having a smaller park is getting to know who is staying there, Rossello said. He said he often meets people while out for his

morning walk with his dog. “We RV’d for a few years and at most RV parks, people are friendly. Here with cottages, it’s different. You have your own deck and you can talk to your neighbor and they cook with each other. It’s amazing how friendly people are. It’s really neat to see people make friendships,” Rossello said. An oasis within the city limits Since 2011, Doug Jensen, president and developer of Texas Lakeside RV Resort, at the corner of West Austin Street or State Highway 238 and County Road 101, has hosted visitors from across the United States. In the past, Jensen has received inquiries about his RV Resort from Winter Texans who live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois and Virginia and as far away as Canada, but come to the Lone Star State to escape the cold weather. Winter Texans usually arrive by mid to late October and stay as late as April. Jensen has established a homey environment at Texas Lakeside RV Resort in Port Lavaca for travelers, whether they are Winter Texans, sports fishermen, families or contractors. He lets visitors know what there is to do within the county during the fall and winter months, like attend a fall festival, a craft show or a Christmas event, fish, beachcomb and bird watch. Jensen wanted to make sure that time spent at the RV resort was just as enjoyable. He spared no expense to give back to his guests, from the granite counter tops in the bathrooms and the fully automated soap and towel dispensers in the showers, to the glassbottom pool nestled within a tropical setting while trying to create a family environment for people on the road for a value. Comfort begins with roomy RV spaces that provide somewhat of a “yard” between RVs. The spaces span See page 49

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Bob Bonar, Agent 401 N Highway 35 Bypass Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: 361-552-6296 bob@bobbonar.com 1211007

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Point Comfort offers fishing and recreation WAVE STAFF REPORT Industry is growing in Point Comfort. Expansions to Formosa Plastics, Inc., and the liquid natural gas project are expected to bring several jobs and billions of dollars to Point Comfort. Excelerate Energy, L.P., plans to build the country’s first floating liquefied natural gas export facility to the port. The $2.1 billion project was announced just over a year ago. Jonathan Cook, chief operating officer at Excelerate, said in December 2012 that the environmental review and permitting process should last through June 2014 and the project is slated to be in service by December 2017. The vessel, known as a Floating Liquefaction Storage and Offloading vessel or FLSO, will be fabricated in South Korea and will then be brought by barge to the United States. Land-based construction will also take place at the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort. The way the facility would

work is natural gas would be brought into the facility via existing pipeline. The facility would then be used to supercool and condense natural gas to its liquid form and would be exported via LNG carriers. LNG customers would then transport it to various countries to provide energy. The project is also expected to bring approximately 2,500 jobs to the area during the construction phase and approximately 180 permanent jobs once operational. In March 2013, Excelerate agreed to lease 25 additional acres of property from the port authority. The company had previously agreed to lease 85 acres, bringing its total land to 110 acres leased at the port. Formosa Plastics Corp. announced two additions at its Point Comfort plant last year. One addition, announced in late February 2012, is a $1.7 billion expansion that is expected to bring an additional 225 jobs to the Point Comfort facility. The expansion includes a grass-roots 800,000 MT/Y olefins cracker, See page 15

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It always is on Matagorda Bay and Lavaca Bay which also just happen to be the destination for hundreds of ships and barges moving valuable cargo through the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort. The Calhoun Port Authority has long been committed to promoting responsible, sustainable development that’s in the best interest of the community, the environment and the economy. We strive for continuous improvement in our environmental performance and pollution prevention measures. That makes the fishing better for everybody.

CALHOUN Port Authority

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Calhoun Port Authority

Calhoun County Life â&#x20AC;˘ Fall/Winter 2013

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We’re There For You! Calhoun County YMCA 1300 N. Virginia Street Port Lavaca, Texas, 77979 Phone: 361-551-2562 Fax: 361-551-2504

Lubbock 530 Miles

Austin 150 Miles

El Paso 695 Miles

Houston 130 Miles

Port Lavaca Calhoun County Midland 475 Miles

San Antonio 145 Miles

Dallas 325 Miles

Corpus Christi 80 Miles

Port Lavaca, the seat of Calhoun County, is not too far from wherever you are in Texas. Located right in the middle of the Texas Gulf Coast, Calhoun County is under a three hour drive from five international airports and easily accessible from all major cities in the state. Whether you are planning a short vacation or a long one, Calhoun County with its rich place in Texas history offers a laid back climate for the best in bay and offshore fishing, birding, eating, resting and relaxing. Come to Port Lavaca to find out why “It’s a State of Mind.”

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Point Comfort from page 10 an associated 600,000 MT/Y propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit and a 300,000 MT/Y low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin plant. Formosa also expects the expansion to include 1,800 construction jobs during the expansion. Construction is expected to be complete in 2016. The other expansion, announced by Formosa in late January 2012, is a $150 million hydrocarbon fractionator facility. The fractionator facility is expected to bring approximately 20 full-time jobs to the Point Comfort site, and an additional 300 to 400 construction jobs during the expansion. The town is also home to the Port of Port LavacaPoint Comfort, which a recent economic impact study by Martin Associates found that the port creates more than 16,500 jobs locally. The study also showed that the port generates $2 billion in revenue and another $338 million in indirect revenue for local suppliers. The port was also recently named the 51st busiest port in the United States, with cargoes of chemicals, petrochemicals, aluminum ore and agricultural fertilizer, of which a key part is high value chemicals produced by area industries. BEGINNINGS Originally built by Aluminum Company of America, now ALCOA, Inc., in 1948 and incorporated in 1953, Point Comfort is home to industrial plants, an international port and many families and retirees that seek a quiet lifestyle in a closeknit small community. The Point Comfort Harbor and Channel boat ramp has been reopened and is back in full swing. The ramp was closed for several months in order to make improvements that included dredging silt to restore its launch

capabilities. In addition to work on the ramp, about 3,000 cubic yards of silt was removed in order to improve access to the channel for emergency watercraft, residents, boaters and those who work on Lavaca Bay. Recreation continues to be a key selling point to the town. On either side of the boat ramp, which is down Lamar Street, are two lighted piers. One has its own fish cleaning station along with handicap access. It is open to the public 24 hours a day and the price is also right – free. Fishermen also take advantage of the area along the causeway bridge, which is a popular spot to fish. It is hard to find a time – day or night – when there are not people taking advantage of the fishing hot spot. Redfish, trout and flounder are regularly caught – without the need for a boat. The town has also completed a renovation of its park with new concrete walkways, 10 cabanas with picnic tables, a gazebo and even more picnic tables further down near the pier. The park also features walking trails and a playground for children. Point Comfort boasts a large fireworks show for July 4, which is put on by the town’s volunteer fire department. Adding to the fun is a variety of food and beverages and other activities surrounding the event. The town’s community center was rededicated recently to honor former Police Chief Rick Brush, who died over five years ago in the line of duty. Churches of all denominations dot the town with services offered by the Assembly of God, Baptists, Catholics, Church of Christ, Lutherans and Methodists. A branch of the Calhoun County Library is also open five days a week in Point Comfort.

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The mark of history

Historical markers give a glimpse into days gone by WAVE STAFF REPORT

Calhoun County is filled with history. With the former port of Indianola being the gateway to Texas immigration, the Indian raid at Linnville, Civil War bombardments and much more, Calhoun County has many interesting stories to tell. On your visit to Calhoun County, there are more than 50 historical markers to see. One of the more interesting markers tells about Calhoun County’s beginnings. That marker tells about the town of Linnville. The marker is located on Farm-to-Market Road 1090 just north of Port Lavaca. Linnville, which was originally named New Port, was founded by John Linn in 1831 as

part of De Leon’s colony. It had a population of about 200 in 1839. The town of Linnville was destroyed in 1840. A group of Comanche Indians raided the town, in addition to Victoria. At least 23 people died in the combined raid. Many of those in Linnville fled into the water, where they were rescued by boat. They watched the Comanches destroy their town and the estimated $300,000 worth of goods in it. The historical marker for Angelina Belle Eberly honors the woman who is credited with starting the initiative to keep the state capital in Austin, when some wanted it moved to what is now known as Houston. Eberly came to Texas from New Orleans in 1822 with her first husband, Jonathan G.

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Peyton. She and her husband landed in Matagorda on June 18, 1822. From there, they moved to various cities in Texas and Louisiana. Peyton died in 1834, leaving Eberly and two children behind. She took over his estate. In 1836, she married Capt. Jacob Eberly, who was also a widower. The couple lived in Austin, where Angelina Eberly operated a hotel starting in about 1840. In 1842, Sam Houston sent a captain to Austin to take certain records to Washington on the Brazos, which is now presentday Houston. The captain snuck into town at night and loaded a wagon with boxes of records. Eberly saw the captain, and to alert the town, fired off a cannon. The captain managed to escape, but was captured the next day and the records were

returned. Eberly returned to Lavaca, now known as Port Lavaca, in 1847 after she purchased the Tavern House. She also purchased lots at Indianola in 1849, and she died there in 1860. Two historical markers tell of Calhoun County’s involvement in the Civil War. The first is a marker about the bombardment of Port Lavaca by Union forces. Union soldiers took Galveston and Indianola, before turning to Port Lavaca. William B. Renshaw, the Union commander, demanded that Confederate forces surrender on Oct. 31, 1862. After the town refused to surrender, it was bombarded by Union forces. The city garrison returned fire and partially See page 24

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Where to dine

Port Lavaca

Art's Fish House

711 Hwy. 35 South 361-482-0417 Mon. - Wed. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thurs. - Sat. . 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cajun kitchen and boiling pot, fried seafood (See ad on page 48)

El Patio Restaurant

548 W. Main 361-552-6316 Open Daily 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Closed 2nd Monday of month. Mexican food.

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Taqueria La Finca

2640 W. Main 361-552-6515 Sun. – Thurs. 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. – Sat. 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (See ad on page 22)

339 Calhoun Plaza 361-553-6862 Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat. 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Chinese buffet. (See ad on page 45)

101 N. Commerce St. Texas Traditions Cafe & Bakery 361-552-8111 234 E. Main St. Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Vietnamese sandwiches, pho, eggrolls, fried 361-553-5555 Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 5 – 8:30 p.m. shrimp and more Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 5 – 9 p.m. (See ad on page 39) Sat. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Steaks, seafood, chicken and dumplings, chickMarie's en fried steak, salad bar, pies 503 W. Main St. (See ad on page 6) 361-552-6700 Sat., Mon., Tues. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wed. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m Tropics Waterfront Bar & Grill Closed Sunday. 802 Fulton Old fashioned home cooking. 361-552-2900 Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Pantry (The) Fri. – 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. 702 N. Virginia Sat. – 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. 361-552-1679 Seafood, steaks, pastas and burgers. Tues. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Large patio for dining just feet from the water. Lunch specials, catering, party trays, take-out Large banquet room for all occasions with one (See ad on page 40) of the best views in Port Lavaca.

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Bayside Seafood Restaurant 2055 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-7177 Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Seafood, steaks, burgers. (See ad on page 3)

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2615 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-5300 Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Bar open until midnight. Fri. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Bar open until midnight. Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Bar open until 1 a.m.. Watch your favorite sporting event on one of 12 flat screen televisions. (See ads on page 21 and 39 )

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Wagon Train

145 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-3056 Mon. – Fri. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 6 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (See ad on page 43)

Port O’Connor

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321 Broadway Ave. 361-785-2441 Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. – 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Closed Monday Specializing in seafood and steaks (See ad on page 54)

Bubba's Cajun Style Seafood 1142 Hwy. 185 E 361-785-2645 Tues.–Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Closed Mondays Seafood, steaks, catering (See ad on page 55)

La Terraza Mexican Grill 702 W. Broadway 361-785-2078 Mon. - Thurs. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sun. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily lunch specials. (See ad on page 55)

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Calhoun County: an odyssey of historical markers 1. Alsatian Immigration through Lavaca Bay • 300 block Commerce Street, on bay front, Port Lavaca 2. Beach Hotel • Main & Commerce Sts., Port Lavaca 3. Beaumont, Jefferson • Port Lavaca Cemetery, south end of S. Nueces St., Port Lavaca 4. Calhoun County • Ann & Leona Sts., Port Lavaca 5. Calhoun County Hurricanes • Calhoun County Courthouse grounds 211 S. Ann St. 6. Calhoun County Jail • 301 S. Ann St., Port Lavaca 7. Civil War Bombardment of Port Lavaca • 200 Block of Commerce Street, Port Lavaca 8. Civil War Torpedo Works • Live Oak and Commerce Streets, Port Lavaca 9. Clark Cemetery • From Hwy. 35, take US 87 north 3.6 miles. Turn left on FM 2433 and then immediately turn right on FM 1679. After 0.9 miles, turn left on Sanders Rd. Go another 0.9 miles to private road on the left. The cemetery is about 0.4 miles down the road on private property. 10. Cox’s Point • Northeast end of causeway, on SH 35, near western city limit, Point Comfort 11. Eberly, Mrs. Angelina Bell Peyton • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 three miles southwest to FM 316; follow FM 316 south about 8.75 miles 12. First Baptist Church of Port Lavaca • 902 Calhoun, Port Lavaca 13. First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca • 1111 N. Virginia 14. First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca • 814 N. San Antonio Street, Port Lavaca 15. George, Wiley • S. Nueces at Cypress St., at entrance to Port Lavaca Cemetery 16. Grace Episcopal Church (2 markers) • 213 E. Austin Street, Port Lavaca

17. Green Lake • 12 miles southwest of Port Lavaca on SH 35 right-ofway 18. Half Moon Reef Lighthouse • Bay Front Park, west end of causeway on SH 35, Port Lavaca 19. Hatch Cemetery • From Port Lavaca, take US 35 about six miles south. Then go west about one mile on Meadow View Ln. to golf course. 20. Hatch, Sylvanus • From Port Lavaca, take US 35 about six miles south. Then go west about one mile on Meadow View Ln. to golf course. Marker is about in the middle of the bridge on the south side of path. 21. Indianola • SH 316 terminus at beach, Indianola 22. Indianola Cemetery • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 south southwest three miles to FM 316. Follow FM 316 about 8.75 miles to Brighton Rd. in Indianola. Follow Brighton Rd northwest about one mile and then go west on Comal Rd one-half mile and then right on Orleans St. one quarter mile to cemetery. 23. Indianola, Site of the Town of • SH 316 South to Ocean Dr one mile to Indianola 24. Johnson, Moses, M.D. • Six miles northwest of Port Lavaca on US 87 25. Johnson, Moses, M.D. • Private, 6.25 mile north of Port Lavaca off US 87 26. La Salle, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de • Beach Rd at SH 316 terminus at Indianola 27. Lavaca Lodge No. 36, A. F. & A. M. • From Port Lavaca, take FM 1090 north about two miles 28. Linnville, Site of the Town of • From SH 35 in Port Lavaca, take FM 1090 north about two miles and turn east onto E. Maxwell Ditch Rd. for about 0.8 miles to Bay Meadow Dr. Go south on Bay Meadow Rd. about 1.3 miles to Meadow Lark Rd. Go east on Meadow Lark to

Lavaca 35 end. Take the private road south at 1593 172 Bay 46 44 45 Point water front. Walk south along 2143 Comfort shore at field area. Marker 28 10 falls in water. 1090 32 31 29. Matagorda Island Light35 house* 27 36 87 • Located approx. 3084 Port 7.5 miles south Lavaca 238 4 24 25 of Port 87 O’Connor 9 1090 2433 Lavaca at 28° 20’ Bay 1679 185 16.44”, -96° 25’ 19 20 26.62” on 2541 Matago48 rda Island, 35 Matagorda 21 26 lighthouse 17 Bay 50 is acces11 2235 sible only by 23 private boat or 1289 238 airplane plus a 22 35 hike to the site. 30. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 37 185 Port • 419 Center St., Port O’Connor Lavaca 31. Olivia 43 185 • SH 172 at city limits Seadrift 185 32. Olivia Cemetery 39 • SH 172 & County Road 317 on County Road 317, Olivia 42 33. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church • 415 W. Austin San Antonio Bay 34. Port Lavaca 29 • SH 35 between SH 238 & Half Moon Dr., at Bauer Community Center, Port Lavaca 35. Port Lavaca Cemetery • End of S. Nueces St., Port Lavaca 36. Port Lavaca Chapter No. 373, Order of The Eastern 1090 Star 35 • FM 1090, two miles north of Port Lavaca 40 12 37. Port O’Connor 18 34 238 • E. Monroe Ave. at S. Park Ave., at King Fisher 3084 38 Beach 13 38. Ranger Cemetery (2 41 Markers) 2 14 • Harbor St., Port Lavaca 39. Rasmussen, Andrew A. 1 • Main & 15th St., Port 35 O’Connor 5 40. Salem Lutheran Church 7 8 • 2101 FM 1090 6 41. San Antonio and Mexi87 16 can Gulf Railroad • 110 N. Virginia, Port 33 47 Lavaca 42. Seadrift 35 49 30 • SH 185, Seadrift 43. Seadrift Cemetery 3 15 35 1090 • 1273 Cemetery Road; Located 1.273 miles from Hwy 185 on Cemetery Road. 49. Wilkins, Alice O., School 46. Six Mile-Royal Community 44. Six Mile Cemetery • Ann and Alice Wilkins streets, Port • Go 4.1 miles northwest of SH 35 on FM • Go 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca Lavaca 1090 on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on 50. Zimmerman Cemetery 47. St. Joseph Baptist Church Royal and go about 0.4 miles. Cemetery • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 about 3 • 811 S. Virginia St., Port Lavaca is behind Six Mile Presbyterian Church. miles to FM 316. Go south 7.25 miles to 48. Town Cemetery, Old 45. Six Mile Presbyterian Church • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 south roadside area. • Go 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca southwest about three miles. Then follow on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on FM 316 south about 8.5 miles. Go north one * National Registry listing; no historical Royal and go about 0.4 miles. mile on county road to Old Town Cemetery. marker.

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Markers from page 18 disabled a Union ship. The bombardment continued until the morning, before the ships retreated. Port Lavaca remained in Confederate hands until Dec. 23, 1863. The second Civil War marker deals with Calhoun County’s involvement in Confederate torpedo works. Port Lavaca citizens developed a unique spring action ignition system in Lavaca Bay. One man, Capt. David A. Bradbury, was later made to lead the Confederate torpedo operations.

Port Lavaca citizens were also involved with the Confederate submarine, H. L. Hunley. They left Port Lavaca for Mobile, Ala., and some even went to Charleston, S.C., where the submarine was put into the sea. Calhoun County had four new historical markers approved in 2012. The markers include one for Sgt. William Henry Barnes, the Chihuahua Trail Terminus in Indianola, World War II in Calhoun County and one for folklorist Ed Bell. On Feb. 11, 1864, a 23-year-old

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

William Barnes, of Maryland, responded to the “Act For Enrolling and Calling Out the National Forces.” He joined the Army at the time. On Sept. 29, 1864, the 38th USCT, and other USCT regiments attacked Confederate forces at New Market Heights, Va. He returned to service on Dec. 12, 1864. On April 6, 1865, Private Barnes was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Sept. 2930, 1864, battle in New Market Heights, Va. “Of the 12 men on the order that received the Medal of Honor that day, alphabetically Barnes would have been first on the list and is; therefore, likely the first black soldier to have physically received a Medal of Honor,” Gary Ralston said in his application. Barnes remained in the service after the war, and died on Dec. 24, 1866 at Indianola. “Although the assignment of the U.S. Colored Troops to Texas after the Civil War created many conflicts between the soldiers and the white citizens, the role of these troops was important to the early stabilization of

the Texas government and the protection of the recently freed slaves,” Ralston wrote in his application. In 1867, the bodies of more than 300 soldiers, including that of Sgt. Barnes, were removed from the Indianola area and re-interred in a common grave at the San Antonio National Cemetery. A marker “In Memory of William H. Barnes” was placed at the San Antonio National Cemetery in the area of the group burial. The Calhoun County Historical Commission was approved this year for six additional historical markers. They include markers for the Great Camel Experiment, the Port O’Connor Cemetery, Howard Gallemore Hartzog Sr., Don Martin De Leon, the Sunlight Girls Club and Dr. Edward Fred Knipling. The Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Ann St. in Port Lavaca, has a free brochure with additional information on the county’s historical markers. The museum can be reached at 361553-4689.

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MARINA from page 7 Another reason Collins enjoys keeping his boat in the marina in Port Lavaca is the community, he said. He added that he comes down every few months. “Jim O’Neil, he was the harbormaster here for years, and he’s the primary reason I’m here in that he had an attitude of making it a small community of people. He died a few years ago, but that atmosphere still persists to some extent,” Collins said. Collins has been staying on his boat while in Port Lavaca since 2006. He said having a boat is kind of like having a big toy. “Sailboats, I call them the adult transformer toy, because when you’re living on it, you can easily forget that you’re on a boat,” Collins said. “It’s big enough that it’s like a small house and being in a protected area, you’re not bouncing around a lot, but when you get it to go sailing, you’re transforming that house into a vehicle and everything has to be stowed away and there’s a number of things that have to happen, but you’re transforming it.” In addition to Collins, Anna and Ken Bivin also live on a boat at the marina. They said their boat has everything that a house has, including two dogs and a cat. “It’s got a bedroom and a bath down there, and of course a kitchen. It’s got everything you could ever want. I love it so much more than a house. I really do,” Anna said. Ken said he has been staying in the Port Lavaca marina off and on since 1997. Anna joined him when they got married in 2005. They agreed that living on a boat is relaxing. Anna said it is kind of like living in an RV on the water. “It’s like a family down here (in Port Lavaca). Everybody watches out for everybody else, so it’s really nice. If anybody needs a hand with anything, you just shout and you get 20 people there when you only needed one. It’s a nice community,” Anna said. “It’s a different group, like if you had neighbors in a house you kind of sort of get together, but not really, but down here. Everybody knows your name, kind of like Cheers. It’s nice.”

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9 10

Getting to the Beach A. Lighthouse Beach Lighthouse Beach is part of the Lighthouse Beach Park located adjacent the TX Hwy. 35 North causeway bridge. Entrance to the park is from Broadway St. (TX Hwy 238) just south of the Hwy. 35 and Hwy 238 intersection across from the Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse and Bauer Community Center. There is a modest per vehicle fee to enter the park. B. Magnolia Beach Go west on TX Hwy. 238 from Port Lavaca as it exits town. Continue straight on TX 238, which eventually becomes TX Hwy. 316. Continue on Hwy. 316 for approximately 5.5 miles before turning left when you reach Farm to Market Road 2760. Once on FM 2760, travel approximately one mile, then turn right on Vivian Stevens Rd. Make an immediate left around the curve once on Vivian Stevens, and then an immediate right around the curve. The beach will be on your left in a few feet. C. Indianola Beach Go west on TX Hwy. 238 from Port Lavaca as it exits town. Continue straight on TX 238, which eventually becomes TX Hwy. 316. Continue on Hwy. 316 for approximately eight miles, then turn right on Brighton Avenue. Stay on Brighton Avenue for about a mile, and the beach will be on your left.

D. King Fisher Beach at Port O’Connor From Port Lavaca, head west on TX Hwy. 238 out of town. Follow Hwy. 238 and when you reach the flashing yellow lights at the intersection of TX Hwy 316, turn right, which will still be Hwy. 238. Follow Hwy. 238 for about one mile, then turn left on Farm to Market Road 1289. Continue on FM 1289 for just over 11 miles until it ends. From there, turn left on TX Hwy. 185. Continue on Hwy. 185 through Port O’Connor until it ends. Once it ends, turn left on Park Street. The beach will be on your right. E. Seadrift Bayfront Park From Port Lavaca, head west on TX Hwy. 238 out of town. Follow Hwy. 238 and when you reach the flashing yellow lights at the intersection of TX Hwy 316, turn right, which will still be Hwy. 238. Follow Hwy. 238 for approximately 10 miles, where it will “T” with TX Hwy. 185. Take a left on Hwy. 185 and you will reach Seadrift in approximately one mile. Continue on Hwy. 185 until you reach Main Street, and turn right. Follow Main Street until it intersects with Bay Street. Turn right on Bay Street, and the beach will be on your left.

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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Aransas Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a close look at wildlife BY EMILY ALLEN Encompassing portions of Calhoun County, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors the chance to hike, drive by and view many of the animals that call the Texas Gulf Coast home 365 days a year. The wildlife refuge, which encompasses portions of Calhoun, Refugio and Aransas counties, is a 115,670-acre area that is the home to the largest wintering flock of whooping cranes in North America. Whooping cranes are one of the refuge’s biggest draws, said Wildlife Specialist Vicki Muller. The park welcomes over 60,000 visitors a year, she said. “We have over 405 species of birds that come here throughout the year, alligators, javelinas, wild hogs, armadillos, plenty of wading birds and shore birds,” Muller said. “It’s a place to get people out into nature to see wildlife, and these acres are protected for wildlife.” Before reaching the observation tower or boardwalk, visitors must register and pay the daily $5 per vehicle entrance

fee at the Claude F. Lard Visitor Center. The visitor center is open every day of the year from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For those interested in viewing the wildlife from the comfort of their vehicle, a 16-mile auto loop tour is available. For a guided tour, volunteers conduct free interpretive van tours each weekend from January through April. These tours offer visitors an opportunity to see wildlife in various habitats, ranging from saltwater flats to freshwater ponds, which attract a wide variety of birds. The park, which is open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour past sunset daily, does not allow public camping. The closest campgrounds are located at Hopper’s Landing, just three miles away, and six miles away in Austwell. Other campgrounds are located in various places, including many in Calhoun County. For more information about the refuge, log onto http://www. fws.gov/southwest/refuges/ texas/aransas/, or contact the visitors center at 361-286-3559.

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124 S. Virginia Street•Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Rolando Reyes • 361-552-5474 • firestone2@cableone.net www.firestoneportlavaca.com Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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H&R Block Port Lavaca, Texas 77979 H &•R 415 Block • N. 415 Virginia N. Virginia ••Port Lavaca, Texas 77979 Phone: 361-552-2075•• Mon-Fri 9:009:00 am to 6:00 Phone: 361-552-2075 Mon-Fri ampmto 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00am to 5:00 pm Saturday 9 am to 5:00 pm ©2011 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

CRAZY FISHERMAN

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f Hamburgers f Seafood Daily Go To ers Specials f Salads f Daily Specials d Or & Like Us y er f Stuffed Baked Potatoes On v i l De

361-553-9044

720 N. Virginia - across from Memorial Medical Center

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

DAILY BAG

Amberjack, Greater • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bass: striped, its hybrids and subspecies • • • • • • • • Catfish: channel and blue catfish, hybrids and subspecies Catfish, flathead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Catfish, gafftopsail • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cobia • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Drum, black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Drum, red • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Flounder: all species, their hybrids and subspecies2 • • Gar (alligator) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Grouper, gag • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Grouper, goliath (formerly called Jewfish) • • • • • • • Mackerel, king • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mackerel, Spanish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Marlin, blue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Marlin, white • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mullet: all species, their hybrids and subspecies1 • • • Sailfish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Seatrout, spotted1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Shark: allowable species1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Shark: prohibited species • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Sheepshead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Snapper, lane • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Snapper, red (pole & line - circle hook only) • • • • • • • Snapper, vermilion • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Snook • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tarpon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Triggerfish, gray • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tripletail • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1

INCH LENGTH (MIN - MAX)

1 • • • 5* • • 25* • • 5 • • • N/L** 2 • • • 5 • • • 3 • • • 5/22 • 1 • • • 2 • • • 0 • • • 2 • • • 15 • • N/L** N/L** N/L** N/L** 10 • • 1 • • • 0 • • • 5 • • • N/L** 4 • • • N/L** 1 • • • 1 • • • 20 • • 3 • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• 34 - N/L** • 18 - N/L** • 12 - N/L** • 18 - N/L** • 14 - N/L** • 37 - N/L** • 14 - 301 • 20 - 281 • 14 - N/L** • N/L** • 22 - N/L** • C & R*** • 27 - N/L** • 14 - N/L** • 131 - N/L** • 86 - N/L** • N/L** - 12 • 84 - N/L** • 15 - 25 • 64 - N/L** • C & R*** • 15 - N/L** • • 8 - N/L** • 15 - N/L** • 10 - N/L** • 24 - 28 • 85 - N/L** • 16 - N/L** • 17 - N/L**

Refer to Texas Parks & Wildlife site for more detail

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/saltwater-bag-and-length-limits * - In any combination N/L** - No Limit C&R*** - Catch & Release ONLY 2 Nov. 1-30 limit is 2; may be taken only by pole and line.

Where’s the bait? If you are out to catch big fish, then you need to know where to get the best bait. Don’t get caught without the supplies needed to catch redfish, flounder, gafftop, trout, tarpon, snapper or shark.

PORT LAVACA • Big Bear Shrimp 2241 N. Hwy. 35, 553-8091 • Evelyn’s Fish Market 732 Broadway, 552-2882

• Indianola Fishing Marina 8 Bell St., 552-5350

• J&J Bait & Tackle

SEADRIFT • Charlie’s Bait Camp 785-3023

• Chunky Monkey’s 621 Main St., 785-2138

• Dockside Bait Shop 806 S. Main, 785-3344

1374 N. Ocean Dr., 552-2724

PORT O’CONNOR

515 Fulton, 552-6423

• Beacon 44 Seafood Market

400 E. Live Oak, 552-1504

• Boathouse (The)

• Miller’s Seafood

• Poor Boys Bait Stand

1982 W. Harrison, 983-4247 7th and Maple, 983-4764

• Fishing Center (The)

Intracoastal Canal, 983-4440

• Froggie’s Bait Dock

2649 Stella St., 983-4466

• Marty’s Landing and Mama’s Kitchen, 983-3474

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Providing stewardship of natural resources for Texans through our retail and wholesale water supply and treatment operations.

Calhoun County Operations: • PORT LAVACA WATER TREATMENT PLANT

See Freddie, Dorothy and Danny for all your bait needs!

• CALHOUN COUNTY RURAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM • CALHOUN COUNTY CANAL

SYSTEM

1064 State Hwy. 316

(Magnolia Beach Road)

(361) 552-9751

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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424 E. RAILROAD, PORT LAVACA

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Cherre Cain 361-935-2222

Brenda Carter 361-920-2005

Jan Regan 361-648-4384

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Shelley Srp 361-782-5949

Josh Daniels 361-920-0295

JT Kisiah 361-935-5910

Russell Cain 361-920-6313

Gonda Moncada 361-935-2661

Megan Tipton 361-550-3211

BEACHCOMBING By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE

Those who beachcomb and collect various treasures from shells to broken glass worn smooth by waves to other items like toys, buoys and lures will find the same and more along Calhoun County’s more than 500 miles of shoreline. Collectors can find an array of nautical treasures like shells, driftwood, pods and exotic drift seeds, also known as sea beans. Longtime artist Joyce Shillings, of Port Lavaca, who has painted since 1965 and taught art, also does shell art, an art form she began two years ago. “I love to beach comb. I put shells on mirrors, picture frames, boxes and baskets,” Shillings said. “I would like to expose people to shell art and give them ideas on what to do with it. It’s different and interesting to me. I enjoy sharing, and letting people know how they can get involved in arts and crafts.” Shell art was a natural progression for this crafter, who also paints. “I’ve always been a designer of sorts. I make jewelry, too,” she said. “I’m

COLD BEER * ICE * FISHING TACKLE * SNACKS * COLD DRINKS * GROCERIES

just a doer. It’s so much fun and the possibilities are endless.” Shillings said the best place to beachcomb within the county is Sunday Beach on Matagorda Island near Port O’Connor. “The island has piles and piles of driftwood, just wonderful pieces,” she said. “There are some seaweeds that wash up on the beaches that dry to a crunchy white in the sun. You can add it to your art as well as crabs, especially the blue crabs because they are so colorful. We have beautiful sand on our beaches. I spread a layer of glue on a base and sprinkle the sand on it.” Beach glass is a popular find, Shillings said. “Some people look just for beach glass, and some of that you can find in old Indianola. It’s really pretty and smooth. Most pieces are a light aqua, or purple. You can incorporate the glass with your shells,” she said. Shillings said oyster shells are abundant on Calhoun beaches and make for excellent decoration for mirrors. “Oyster shell mirrors are See page 43

exposes hidden treasures

Sunday Beach, on Matagorda Island, is a well-known shelling spot for beachcombers. (Contributed photo)

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* * FRIES OR TOTS SUNDAY BREAKFAST SPECIAL: BISCUITS & GRAVY

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

A Guide to Newcomer Information ELECTRICITY

AEP (877) 373-4858 Reliant Energy: (866) 222-7100 TXU: (800) 818-6132 Victoria Electric Co-op: (361) 573-2428

NATURAL GAS

CenterPoint Energy: centerpointenergy.com or (800) 427-7142

TELEPHONE

Verizon Residential: (800) 483-4400 AT&T Residential: (800) 222-0300 Commercial: (800) 222-0400

TELEVISION

CableOne of Port Lavaca (361) 552-9621 Direct TV: (888) 777-2454 Dish Network: (866) 271-3005

INTERNET

CableOne of Port Lavaca (361) 552-9621 Testengeer: (361) 573-1102 Time Warner: (877) 646-8994

WATER AND SEWER Port Lavaca Service Billing and Connects 202 N. Virginia; (361) 552-9793, ext. 236 Port Lavaca Maintenance and Repair 800 N. Commerce; (361) 552-3347 Seadrift Service (361) 785-2251 Point Comfort Service (361) 987-2661

GARBAGE COLLECTION Allied Waste Services (800) 640-2014

RECYCLING Calhoun County Recycling Center (361) 552-7791

VEHICLE REGISTRATION Tax Assessor and Collector Office 211 S. Ann; (361) 553-4433

DRIVER’S LICENSE Calhoun County Courthouse Annex 201 W. Austin; (361) 552-5046

VOTER REGISTRATION Calhoun County Elections Office 211 S. Ann, (361) 553-4440

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT PORT LAVACA Calhoun High School Sandcrab Blvd., (361) 552-3775 Hope High School 300 Alcoa, (361) 552-7084 HJM Elementary Complexes (361) 552-5253 Jackson-Roosevelt Elementary 1512 Jackson, (361) 552-3317 Travis Middle School 705 N. Nueces, (361) 552-3784 Victoria College, Calhoun County Center 900 N. Virginia, (361) 553-4316

PORT O’CONNOR Port O’Connor School (361) 983-2341

SEADRIFT Seadrift School (361) 785-3511

EMERGENCY NUMBERS All emergencies should be reported by using 9-1-1. However, if a particular department is needed not regarding an emergency, use the following numbers. The county has the Enhanced 911 system. This allows dispatchers to see the location and phone number of the person placing the call. You must still give them this information when you call. Calhoun County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) (361) 552-1140 Calhoun County Sheriff ’s Department 333 S. Benavides, (361) 553-4646 Port Lavaca Fire Department Station #1, 800 N. Hwy. 35, (361) 552-4620 Station #2, 1501 W. Austin Street, (361) 552-3241 Port Lavaca Police Department 201 N. Colorado; (361) 552-3788 Point Comfort Police Department Point Comfort, (361) 987-2345 Seadrift Police Department Seadrift, (361) 785-2069

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1300 N. Virginia (Memorial Medical Plaza)

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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2241 Highway 35 N. Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Things to do in Calhoun County

Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse This historical landmark has been around since 1857 and was placed at the southern tip on the Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay. It served as an aid to ships trading in Port Lavaca and Indianola. It still stands and is now located at the Bauer Community Center.

Matagorda Lighthouse This lighthouse was first constructed in 1852, standing 92 feet tall, made entirely of cast iron with no masonry support and was originally painted with horizontal red, white and black stripes. La Salle Monument This granite monument dedicated to the French explorer La Salle is located on the

western shore of Matagorda Bay, between Indian Point and Indianola.

Indianola “The ghost town” It has been written, “Of the many ghost towns in Texas, none died as tragic a death as Indianola.” Founded by German immigrants in 1844, the town was second only to Galveston as a Texas port city at one time. Historical Marker Tour There are over 50 historical markers and places to see in Calhoun County. See marker guide on pages 22 and 23. Lighthouse Beach Fishing Pier Some people pick this beautiful campground in order to be close to Port Lavaca State Fishing

Pier. Port Lavaca State Fishing Pier is a good location to visit on a delightful day; since you might be in a lake visiting mood you can always stop at close by Mud Lake.

Calhoun County Port Port Lavaca was an active fishing port in the first half of the 20th Century. The Gulf Intracoastal waterway reached Matagorda Bay in 1942, connecting Calhoun County to the thousands of miles of channels in the nation’s inland waterway system. The port is located in Point Comfort. Magnolia Beach Magnolia Beach and Indianola Beach are “all in one.” Indianola is steeped in Texas history once being an inland seaport that rivaled Galveston

in size. Many German Immigrants landed at Indianola eventually settling in New Braunfels and Fredericksburg. Driving along Ocean Drive you will see about 50 blue signs that tell the story about how Texas was settled from this once huge seaport. There is a large granite marker where the town of Indianola once stood and a statue of the explorer LaSalle. Formosa Bird Sanctuary The 245-acre Formosa-Tejano Wetlands habitat was dedicated during a ribboncutting ceremony led by the chairman of the Wildlife Habitat Council on Nov. 17, 1999. Located halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi on land owned by Formosa

See page 62

SUNDAYS:

Six Mile Assembly of God Church 5 miles north of Port Lavaca on FM 1090

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Puppets for kids: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church: 11:15 a.m. Fellowship meal & Birthday celebration First Sunday of each month, immediately after morning worship (Everyone brings something) Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS: Start with a meal at 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Adult Discipleship training, Praise & Prayer, Youth Service Bible training for Children

Call Johnny or Bonnie Kisiah, Pastor, at 361-552-5714 for more information.

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101 N. Commerce St. • 361-552-8111 • 361-235-0264

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152 N. Hwy. 35, Port Lavaca • 361-552-6764 twindolphinscinemas@gmail.com

NOW PLAYING REAL D 3-D MOVIES! SHOWTIMES:

FRIDAY, 7PM & 9PM • SUNDAY, 2PM & 7PM SATURDAY, 2PM, 7PM & 9PM • MONDAY – THURSDAY, 7 PM ADDITIONAL SUMMER MATINEE TIMES MONDAY – THURSDAY, 2PM

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Office Hours Mon.-Fri. 9-4 552-9403

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

‘The LaSalle Odyssey’ on exhibit at museum By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Additions to the “The La Salle Odyssey” exhibit and Civil War and mineral exhibits are all highlights this fall and winter at the Calhoun County Museum. The museum has several displays entitled “The La Salle Odyssey” with items found on the La Belle, a ship used by explorer Robert de La Salle. The ship was found in Matagorda Bay in 1995. The ship sank in 1686. Several items from the ship can be found at the museum. The museum staff has relabeled much of the La Belle artifacts and some of the artifacts are going on a world tour, said George Anne Cormier, museum director. “We will be replacing those artifacts with other items (from La Belle),” Cormier said. Buckles, a gourd cup, a fire pot and a petard, or a device La Salle used to blow down walls and gates, are leaving for Europe, she said. “Our petard is the only threehandled one that exists. Our fire

pot is going because it is one of the most complete,” Cormier said. “They are going back home to France for awhile. I hate losing them, but they will be back in four or five years.” The museum will receive another petard and parts of a fire pot as replacements. “In one of the cases, we put up tallow made from beef or bison fat that was in a barrel on the ship,” she said. “Tallow was used to cook with, as a wood sealant, for tanning leather and for soap and candle making.” In another case are Atlantic cod and goose bones. “The cod had to have come on board with them because there is no cod here,” Cormier said. “They would dry it and salt it so it would last.” One new item is a handmade reproduction of a musket from the 1680s like that used by La Salle and his crew. The exhibit will also feature photos of items “in situ” or in its original state taken by the Texas Historical Commission as it excavated the La Belle site. The minerals are from the

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Minerals from the collection of local geologist and photographer Dean Johnstone, owner of Main Street Gallery, located at 309 E. Main St. in Port Lavaca, are part of an exhibit this fall and winter at the Calhoun County Museum. (Photo by Melony Overton) collection of geologist and photographer Dean Johnstone, owner of Main Street Gallery, located at 309 E. Main St. in Port Lavaca. Minié bullets, belt buckles, cannonballs and more can be seen in the “Calhoun County-Blue and

Gray-Civil War Artifacts” exhibit scheduled to run throughout the fall and winter. Much of the Calhoun County Museum collection deals with the history of Indianola. Indianola was one of the busiest ports along the Gulf Coast until

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One new item at the Calhoun County Museum is a handmade reproduction of a musket from the 1680s like that used by the explorer Robert de La Salle and his crew as part of the “The La Salle Odyssey” exhibit. (Contributed photo) it was hit by hurricanes in 1875 and 1886. The hurricanes largely destroyed the town. A large diorama of Indianola has the locations of a number of the homes and businesses before the 1875 hurricane and a number of artifacts from the town after the hurricane. One of those artifacts is the Victorian grand piano, made in Boston and owned by the Samuel Kinlay family. The piano also survived the hurricane of 1886. It was during that second hurricane that the family wrapped the piano in mattresses and quilts and left Indianola. Upon the family’s return, they found that the only part of the house that managed to survive was the living room floor with the piano still sitting on it. Museum visitors also have a chance to stare into a centuries-

old gaze of a young Karankawa Indian woman. The bronze casting of the Karankawa woman, created by Betty Pat Gatliff, the premiere forensic artist in the U.S., is on loan to the museum from the Heritage Society of Houston. The casting was created from a skeleton of an 18 to 20 year-old woman, found in a graveyard on the west end of Galveston Island. The young woman has long hair and high cheekbones. She also wears a necklace of three beads that was found on the skeleton. The bronze sculpture is one of many sights to see at the museum. One of the most popular items is the Third-Order Fresnel lens from the Matagorda Island Lighthouse. A buffalo head, donated by the Floyd Paige estate, is

A clay firepot from the La Belle ship, used by explorer Robert de La Salle in the 1680s, is part of the “The La Salle Odyssey” exhibit at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca. (Photo by Melony Overton) another prominent feature of the museum. Paige, who was a Houstonite, also donated a rifle and powder horns to the museum. Other items in the museum are unique to Calhoun County. These include one of the first wheelchairs used at Memorial Medical Center and handcrafted bedding and furniture that are

over a century old. The museum is located at 301 S. Ann St. in Port Lavaca. The Calhoun County Museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call 5534689.

Calhoun County Independent School District “Quality Schools — Successful Students.”

Academics & Leadership

Athletics & Fine Arts

Community Partnerships

CCISD positions currently open. Join our winning team at www.calcoisd.org Mentors & Tutors needed at every campus: Volunteer with our winning team at pie@calcoisd.org Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Where Caring Is Our Calling!

ATTENTION

Medicare Card Holders

� Have you been released from a hospital in the last 30 days? � Was your hospital stay at least three midnights? � You may be entitled to receive Therapy & Rehabilitation under your Medicare Benefits.

If you qualify*, the first 20 days of your stay with us are

COVERED 100% UNDER MEDICARE PART A.

*Resident Must Meet Medicare Part A Eligibility Guidelines.

Our main goal is to assist in achieving the highest level of functioning, while providing a comfortable environment in which to recover from illness, injury or infections

WE OFFER:

• Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Pallative Care

• Respite Care • IV Therapy • Wound Care • Secured Unit

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay, Private Insurance, and V.A. Stop by for a complimentary glass of iced tea and a tour. Contact Admissions Coordinator Gidgett Reynolds at 361-649-5400.

Gidgett Reynolds Admissions Coordinator 361-649-5400

524 Village Road, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

361-552-3741

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Calhoun Air Center vital part of local community WAVE STAFF REPORT

People might not think of an air center as a way to spend the afternoon, but the Calhoun Air Center has a different flavor than most. Owner and pilot Dianna Stanger and her staff promote community involvement by promoting a number of events throughout the year. These events include the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week in March, the annual Kids Day in May and the Monster Bash in October. “Calhoun Air Center is focusing on our community involvement by reaching out to our area residents and expanding their knowledge of aviation,” said Steve Plunkett, air center manager and pilot. The air center has been honored multiple times for its promotion of aviation, including picking up five awards this year during the Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. The airport’s flight school, which was the only U.S. location to win a trophy, took firstrunner up in the “Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide” category. Stanger won the second runner-up award in the “Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide” category. Also picking up awards were flight instructor Thomas Keane, who was the second runner-up in the “Most Supportive Male Pilot Worldwide” category, public relations coordinator Jasmine Gordon, who was named in the group’s top 10 of “Most Productive Organizers,” and chief flight instructor Erin Michael, who was named in the top 10 of “Most Dedicated Female Worldwide.” “The tremendous amount of support from Victoria and Calhoun County is the motivation for the great effort we put forth this year,” said Stanger. “Each time our passengers smiled, laughed or thanked us it made it all worthwhile. Our team effort was a winning one.” Women Of Aviation Worldwide

Week aims to foster diversity in aviation by celebrating history, raising awareness, and sparking vocations among the female population. Over 250 girls and women took their first flight this year at the air center. Calhoun Air Center was the only flight school to represent the USA as the locations in Canada swept the remaining trophies. The air center has previously been presented awards for the event. It has twice been given the women-friendly flight training seal by Women of Aviation Worldwide, followed by two additional awards from WOAW. The air center worked in 2011 with a Girls With Wings event to allow 98 females of all ages to take flight. Stanger received the award for “The Most Dedicated Female Pilot in the World” from WOAW for her 2011 efforts, while Gordon received the award for “The Most Creative Aviation Advocate.” The air center had an event scheduled for 2012 spring and hoped to break its previous record. That event, however, was canceled due to rain. Stanger said the event not only promotes the airport, but also helps to promote aviation. “I hope I have someone come back to me one day and say she became a pilot because of that first flight with me,” she said. “I am so lucky to be able to do this and share a passion like this. It is something I strive for.” Area school children are invited to the annual Kids Day in May. The event provides tours and plenty of other activities throughout the day. The air center hosts the Monster Bash in October, which is a family-friendly Halloween event for children. It features costume contests, games and many other activities. Another event, scheduled in November, is the annual aviation art contest. It is open to area students, many of See page 50

BEACHCOMBING from page 37 getting to be high dollar items. If you look at some of them, they are sprayed with a clear spray and that can make the coloration pretty,” she said. “You can use either side as far as the look you want.” Shillings beachcombs all year. “I do it for the serenity and therapy. You can block out anything with these little treasures,” she said. Beachcombers can find the lightening whelk, the state shell, and other big shells at the base of the big jetties in Port O’Connor. Several prime spots for shelling in Calhoun County include the former site of Indianola; the jetties along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in and around Port O’Connor and the Gulf beaches adjoining Pass Cavallo. Sanddollars, horse conch, sundials, cowrie shells, tent olives, oyster and scallop shells, to the rare Scotch Bonnet as well as fossils can be found on Calhoun County beaches. Beachcombers can find sea beans on Sunday Beach, and when the Sargasso grass graces King Fisher Beach in Port O’Connor, a few might be found within it. Sea beans come from plants that grow on tropical islands and in rain forests. The sea beans drop from plants into waterways such as the Amazon River. After reaching the ocean through inlets, these tropical seeds drift until they land on

beaches, according to “The Little Book of Sea Beans and other Beach Treasures,” by Cathie Katz ad Paul Mikkelsen. “Hamburger beans” are the most common and abundant named so for their resemblance to the fast food sandwich. They range in size, color and design, but most are brown with a wide, black band. However, they can also be red, tan and speckled. Tips for the inexperienced beachcomber from veteran shellers: – Wear appropriate seasonal clothing – Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and possibly long sleeves – Wear old canvas shoes to protect your feet – Wear clothes with pockets – Carry a lightweight plastic bucket, and a separate container for more delicate finds like sand dollars – Plastic bags for driftwood or carrying messy material –Fill bottles for small specimens – Trowel or other digging tool – Tweezers or toothpicks (wet the end) to pick up tiny shells – Waders, rubber boots and possibly thermal underwear during winter – A notepad and waterproof pen for keeping location data – A friend, especially when combing isolated areas Please remember to never collect living specimens, as they are still part of the ocean’s food web.

Call and make an appointment! WALK-INS ALSO WELCOME 361-552-9380 ★ 1929 Central & Short St.

Visit us online at www.portlavacawave.com Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Calhoun County Life â&#x20AC;˘ Fall/Winter 2013

RV park listing Magnolia Beach

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2 RV Park 1402 Harrison, (361) 983-4688 Beacon 44 RV Park Harrison and Druscilla (361) 983-4247 Dolphins of the Bay RV Park 112 S. 16th Street (361) 983-4802 Fishing Center (The) Intracoastal Canal (361) 983-4440 LaSalle’s Landing RV Park 2699 West Adams Ave. (361) 983-4854 Port O’Connor RV Park 110 Steve St., (361) 983-2484

Port Lavaca

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Lavaca Bay RV Park 1818 Broadway (361) 552-4814 (See ad on page 16)

Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary Park 700 Lighthouse Beach Dr. (361) 552-5311 (See ad on page 11)

Bayou Bridge RV Park 211 E. Broadway 361-649-1060/361-935-1061 Beacon 7 RV Park West Bay Avenue (361) 785-2717

Breezy Palms Cottages and RV Park 101 E. Bay Ave. 361-550-6069 (See ad on page 17)

Sandollar R. V. Park 1103 Broadway Street (361) 552-5150 For information on having your park included in a future publication, email us at rvlisting@plwave.com.

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361-553-6862 Fax: 361-553-6869 Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Birding is big here

Just as Calhoun County attracts visitors from all over, it also hosts a variety of avian species. The bird watching opportunities are sure to please even the most experienced Photo by Brandee Vickery wildlife seekers. There are several options for those interested in watching the wildlife. Key Visit the Port Lavaca Lighthouse R=Rare P=Pelagic/Offshore Compiled by Brush Freeman Beach and Bird Sanctuary, Magnolia Beach or even Matagorda Island State H=Hypothetical Park. According to Brush Freeman, E=Extirpated/Extinct coauthor of The Texas Ornithological I=Introduced or Exotic Society Handbook of Texas Birds, 429 species have been recorded in ___ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ___ Fulvous Whistling-Duck ___ Greater White-fronted Goose ___ Snow Goose ___ Ross’s Goose ___ Cackling Goose ___ Canada Goose ___ Trumpeter Swan (E) ___ Tundra Swan (R) ___ Wood Duck ___ Gadwall ___ Mallard ___ Mottled Duck ___ American Black Duck (R) ___ Blue-winged Teal ___ Cinnamon Teal ___ Northern Shoveler ___ Northern Pintail ___ Green-winged Teal ___ Canvasback ___ Redhead ___ Ring-necked Duck ___ Greater Scaup ___ Lesser Scaup ___ Surf Scoter ___ White-winged Scoter (R) ___ Black Scoter ___ Harlequin Duck (R) Jan. 29, 1945; Aransas NWR (likely mislabeled to Aransas Co.) ___ Long-tailed Duck (R) ___ Bufflehead ___ Common Goldeneye ___ Hooded Merganser ___ Common Merganser (R) Dec. 23, 1992 ___ Red-breasted Merganser ___ Masked Duck (R) ___ Ruddy Duck ___ Northern Bobwhite ___ Greater Prairie-Chicken (E) ___ Ring-necked Pheasant (RI) ___ Wild Turkey ___ Red-throated Loon (R) Dec. 19, 2004; Port O’Connor ___ Pacific Loon ___ Common Loon ___ Least Grebe ___ Pied-billed Grebe ___ Horned Grebe ___ Red-necked Grebe (R) ___ Eared Grebe ___ Western Grebe (R)

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

___ American Flamingo (R) ___ Black-capped Petrel (PR) ___ Cory’s Shearwater (P) ___ Great Shearwater (PR) ___ Sooty Shearwater (PR) ___ Audubon’s Shearwater (P) ___ Leach’s Storm-Petrel (P) ___ Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (P) ___ Red-billed Tropicbird (PR) ___ White-tailed Tropicbird (HP) Aug. 6-7,1937; Matagorda Island ___ Wood Stork ___ Magnificent Frigatebird ___ Masked Booby (R) 1st county record June 8,1885; Matagorda Bay ___ Northern Gannet (P) ___ Neotropic Cormorant ___ Double-crested Cormorant ___ Anhinga ___ American White Pelican ___ Brown Pelican ___ American Bittern ___ Least Bittern ___“Great White Heron” (R) A pure white phase of Great Blue Heron ___ Great Blue Heron ___ Great Egret ___ Snowy Egret ___ Little Blue Heron ___ Tricolored Heron ___ Reddish Egret ___ Cattle Egret ___ Green Heron ___ Black-crowned Night-Heron ___ Yellow-crowned Night-Heron ___ White Ibis ___ Glossy Ibis ___ White-faced Ibis ___ Roseate Spoonbill ___ Black Vulture ___ Turkey Vulture ___ Osprey ___ Swallow-tailed Kite ___ White-tailed Kite ___ Mississippi Kite ___ Bald Eagle ___ Northern Harrier ___ Sharp-shinned Hawk ___ Cooper’s Hawk ___ Northern Goshawk (R) Pre-1978 record; one in Port O’Connor 2009 reported

the county or the counties’ offshore waters, although many of those were single occurrences, or once in a lifetime finds, that will likely not be repeated any time soon. Some of the more popular birds in the area include Rosette Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, White-tailed Hawks and Whooping Cranes. Use the list below to see what species you can find during your stay in Calhoun County. Special thanks to Brush Freeman for his help with the following listing of bird species that have been previously spotted in Calhoun County.

___ Harris’s Hawk ___ Red-shouldered Hawk ___ Broad-winged Hawk ___ Swainson’s Hawk ___ White-tailed Hawk ___ Zone-tailed Hawk (R) ___ Red-tailed Hawk ___ Ferruginous Hawk (R) ___ Rough-legged Hawk (R) ___ Golden Eagle (R) Jan. 16, 1993; Mar. 3, 2000 ___ Crested Caracara ___ American Kestrel ___ Merlin ___ Aplomado Falcon (I) ___ Peregrine Falcon ___ Prairie Falcon ___ Yellow Rail ___ Black Rail ___ Clapper Rail ___ King Rail ___ Virginia Rail ___ Sora ___ Purple Gallinule ___ Common Gallinule ___ American Coot ___ Sandhill Crane ___ Whooping Crane ___ Black-bellied Plover ___ American Golden-Plover ___ Pacific Golden-Plover (H) ___ Snowy Plover ___ Wilson’s Plover ___ Semipalmated Plover ___ Piping Plover ___ Killdeer ___ Mountain Plover (R) ___ American Oystercatcher ___ Black-necked Stilt ___ American Avocet ___ Northern Jacana (R) Dec. 10, 1992-April 22, 1993 ___ Spotted Sandpiper ___ Solitary Sandpiper ___ Greater Yellowlegs ___ Willet ___ Lesser Yellowlegs ___ Upland Sandpiper ___ Eskimo Curlew (E) ___ Whimbrel ___ Long-billed Curlew ___ Hudsonian Godwit ___ Marbled Godwit

___ Ruddy Turnstone ___ Red Knot ___ Sanderling ___ Semipalmated Sandpiper ___ Western Sandpiper ___ Least Sandpiper ___ White-rumped Sandpiper ___ Baird’s Sandpiper ___ Pectoral Sandpiper ___ Purple Sandpiper (R) ___ Dunlin ___ Stilt Sandpiper ___ Buff-breasted Sandpiper ___ Ruff (R) ___ Short-billed Dowitcher ___ Long-billed Dowitcher ___ Wilson’s Snipe ___ American Woodcock ___ Wilson’s Phalarope ___ Red-necked Phalarope (R) ___ Black-legged Kittiwake (R) ___ Sabine’s Gull (R) ___ Bonaparte’s Gull ___ Laughing Gull ___ Franklin’s Gull ___ Mew Gull (R) Mar. 4, 2005; Magnolia Beach ___ Ring-billed Gull ___ California Gull (R) ___ Herring Gull ___ Thayer’s Gull (R) ___ Lesser Black-backed Gull ___ Glaucous Gull (R) ___ Great Black-backed Gull (R) ___ Sooty Tern (R) ___ Bridled Tern (P) ___ Least Tern (P) ___ Gull-billed Tern ___ Caspian Tern ___ Black Tern ___ Common Tern ___ Arctic Tern (PR) Sept. 21, 1996 ___ Roseate Tern (R) Mar. 15, 1998 ___ Forster’s Tern ___ Royal Tern ___ Sandwich Tern ___ Black Skimmer ___ Pomarine Jaeger (P) ___ Parasitic Jaeger (P) ___ Long-tailed Jaeger (PR) ___ Rock Pigeon ___ Eurasian Collared-Dove ___ White-winged Dove ___ Mourning Dove ___ Passenger Pigeon (?E) ___ Inca Dove ___ Common Ground-Dove ___ White-tipped Dove (R) ___ Monk Parakeet (RI) ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo ___ Mangrove Cuckoo (R) ___ Black-billed Cuckoo ___ Greater Roadrunner ___ Groove-billed Ani ___ Barn Owl ___ Flammulated Owl (R) ___ Eastern Screech-Owl ___ Great Horned Owl ___ Burrowing Owl ___ Barred Owl ___ Long-eared Owl (R) ___ Short-eared Owl ___ Lesser Nighthawk ___ Common Nighthawk ___ Common Pauraque

___ Common Poorwill (R) ___ Chuck-will’s-widow ___ Eastern Whip-poor-will ___ White-collared Swift (R) ___ Chimney Swift ___ Vaux’s Swift (R) Dec. 20, 2010; Port O’Connor ___ Black Swift (R) Apr. 11, 2006; Port O’Connor ___ Broad-billed Hummingbird (R) Dec. 5, 2010; Six Mile ___ Buff-bellied Hummingbird ___ Blue-throated Hummingbird (R) near Seadrift ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird ___ Black-chinned Hummingbird ___ Anna’s Hummingbird ___ Costa’s Hummingbird (R) ___ Calliope Hummingbird (R) ___ Broad-tailed Hummingbird ___ Rufous Hummingbird ___ Allen’s Hummingbird (R) ___ Ringed Kingfisher (R) ___ Belted Kingfisher ___ Green Kingfisher ___ Red-headed Woodpecker (R) ___ Acorn Woodpecker (R) ___ Golden-fronted Woodpecker (R) ___ Red-bellied Woodpecker ___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ___ Red-naped Sapsucker (R) ___ Ladder-backed Woodpecker ___ Downy Woodpecker ___ Northern Flicker ___ Pileated Woodpecker ___ Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (R) ___ Olive-sided Flycatcher ___ Eastern Wood-Pewee ___ Western Wood-Pewee (R) Sept. 24, 2000; offshore oil rig ___ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ___ Acadian Flycatcher ___ Alder Flycatcher ___ Willow Flycatcher ___ Least Flycatcher ___ Cordilleran Flycatcher (R) ___ Black Phoebe (R) ___ Eastern Phoebe ___ Say’s Phoebe ___ Vermilion Flycatcher ___ Ash-throated Flycatcher ___ Great Crested Flycatcher ___ Brown-crested Flycatcher ___ Great Kiskadee ___ Couch’s Kingbird ___ Western Kingbird ___ Eastern Kingbird ___ Gray Kingbird (R) ___ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ___ Loggerhead Shrike ___ White-eyed Vireo ___ Bell’s Vireo ___ Yellow-throated Vireo ___ Plumbeous Vireo (R) ___ Cassin’s Vireo (R) ___ Blue-headed Vireo ___ Warbling Vireo ___ Philadelphia Vireo ___ Red-eyed Vireo ___ Yellow-green Vireo (R) ___ Green Jay ___ Blue Jay ___ American Crow ___ Chihuahuan Raven (R) ___ Horned Lark ___ Purple Martin

___ Tree Swallow ___ Violet-green Swallow (RH) ___ Northern Rough-winged Swallow ___ Bank Swallow ___ Cliff Swallow ___ Cave Swallow ___ Barn Swallow ___ Carolina Chickadee ___ Tufted Titmouse ___ Black-crested Titmouse (R) ___ Verdin (R) ___ Red-breasted Nuthatch ___ Brown Creeper ___ Cactus Wren (R) May 11, 2004; Port O’Connor ___ Rock Wren (R) ___ Carolina Wren ___ Bewick’s Wren ___ House Wren ___ Winter Wren ___ Sedge Wren ___ Marsh Wren ___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ___ Golden-crowned Kinglet ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ___ Eastern Bluebird ___ Mountain Bluebird (R) ___ Veery ___ Gray-cheeked Thrush ___ Swainson’s Thrush ___ Hermit Thrush ___ Wood Thrush ___ American Robin ___ Gray Catbird ___ Northern Mockingbird ___ Brown Thrasher ___ Long-billed Thrasher ___ Curve-billed Thrasher ___ European Starling (I) ___ American Pipit ___ Sprague’s Pipit ___ Cedar Waxwing ___ Lapland Longspur (R) ___ Chestnut-collared Longspur ___ Smith’s Longspur (R) ___ McCown’s Longspur (R) ___ Ovenbird ___ Worm-eating Warbler ___ Louisiana Waterthrush ___ Northern Waterthrush ___ Golden-winged Warbler ___ Blue-winged Warbler ___ Black-and-white Warbler ___ Prothonotary Warbler ___ Swainson’s Warbler ___ Tennessee Warbler ___ Orange-crowned Warbler ___ Nashville Warbler ___ Virginia’s Warbler (R) Oct. 10, 1999 ___ MacGillivray’s Warbler (R) May 11, 2006; Port O’Connor ___ Mourning Warbler ___ Kentucky Warbler ___ Common Yellowthroat ___ Hooded Warbler ___ American Redstart ___ Cape May Warbler (R) ___ Cerulean Warbler ___ Northern Parula ___ Tropical Parula (R) ___ Magnolia Warbler ___ Bay-breasted Warbler ___ Blackburnian Warbler ___ Yellow Warbler ___ Chestnut-sided Warbler ___ Blackpoll Warbler

___ Black-throated Blue Warbler (R) ___ Palm Warbler ___ Pine Warbler ___ Yellow-rumped Warbler ___ Yellow-throated Warbler ___ Prairie Warbler ___ Black-throated Gray Warbler (R) ___ Townsend’s Warbler (R) ___ Black-throated Green Warbler ___ Canada Warbler ___ Wilson’s Warbler ___ Red-faced Warbler (R) ___ Yellow-breasted Chat ___ White-collared Seedeater (R) ___ Olive Sparrow ___ Green-tailed Towhee (R) ___ Spotted Towhee ___ Eastern Towhee ___ Cassin’s Sparrow ___ Chipping Sparrow ___ Brewer’s Sparrow (R) ___ Clay-colored Sparrow ___ Field Sparrow ___ Vesper Sparrow ___ Lark Sparrow ___ Black-throated Sparrow (R) ___ Lark Bunting (R) ___ Savannah Sparrow ___ Grasshopper Sparrow ___ Henslow’s Sparrow (R) ___ Le Conte’s Sparrow ___ Nelson’s Sparrow ___ Seaside Sparrow ___ Fox Sparrow (R) ___ Song Sparrow ___ Lincoln’s Sparrow ___ Swamp Sparrow ___ White-throated Sparrow ___ Harris’s Sparrow ___ White-crowned Sparrow ___ Dark-eyed Junco ___ Summer Tanager ___ Scarlet Tanager ___ Western Tanager ___ Northern Cardinal ___ Pyrrhuloxia ___ Rose-breasted Grosbeak ___ Black-headed Grosbeak (R) ___ Blue Grosbeak ___ Lazuli Bunting (R) ___ Indigo Bunting ___ Varied Bunting (R) Apr. 27, 1999; Port O’Connor ___ Painted Bunting ___ Dickcissel ___ Bobolink ___ Red-winged Blackbird ___ Eastern Meadowlark ___ Western Meadowlark ___ Yellow-headed Blackbird ___ Rusty Blackbird (R) ___ Brewer’s Blackbird ___ Common Grackle ___ Boat-tailed Grackle ___ Great-tailed Grackle ___ Shiny Cowbird (R) ___ Bronzed Cowbird ___ Brown-headed Cowbird ___ Orchard Oriole ___ Hooded Oriole (R) ___ Bullock’s Oriole ___ Baltimore Oriole ___ House Finch ___ Pine Siskin ___ Lesser Goldfinch ___ American Goldfinch ___ House Sparrow (I) ___ Nutmeg Mannikin (I)

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

e l t t i L ! e A f i L t r Pu u o Y n I n u j Ca

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Calhoun County Life â&#x20AC;˘ Fall/Winter 2013

STAY from page 8 a minimum of 27 feet wide and up to a maximum of 85 feet long. Other amenities include a hot tub, a walking and jogging track and several picnic areas and dog runs. At the center of the resort is a 4,000-square foot clubhouse with an essentials store, exercise room, media area and pool tables, serving as the hub of the resort community. Guests have a great view of the resort’s lake from their RV. The fully fenced and gated resort boasts two laundry facilities, free W-Fi and 24-foot wide concrete roads. All sites have full hook-ups with water, electric and sewer. Sparkling sands, waving palm trees and fishing waters Mary Jo and Douglas Walker Sr., of Port O’Connor, opened Beacon 44 RV Park in 1998 on property they purchased, starting out with seven spots to create a haven for Winter Texans and other tourists. “At the time, Port O’Connor needed another RV park. We opened July Fourth weekend. In no time the spots were full. We added another 13 spots, and they filled. Today, we have 44 spots. We would like to expand, but we do not have anymore property here,” said Mary Jo Walker, who is also

president of the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce. “Seventyfive spots would be a perfect size.” Guests can bring their own RV to enjoy full hook-ups in a country setting, or choose to stay in one of Beacon 44’s rental travel trailers. Campers come from all parts of the United States, North America and Europe, Walker said. They often come bearing gifts for the Walkers. “People bring jellies, honey and cheese from Wisconsin and coins from Canada,” Walker said. “I received a FedEx package filled with fudge from Mackinac Island in Michigan, a place I’ve always wanted to go.” While at Beacon 44, campers go to Matagorda Island for activities like bird watching, fishing, boating, swimming, shelling and hunting, Walker said. She said the park makes an ideal base camp for day trips south to the restaurants, shops and sights in Port Aransas. “It takes a certain type of person to come down here to Port O’Connor because we have no entertainment here. People have to be able to entertain themselves,” Walker said. “Eventually, they get into a routine. We have people who love to go to Cathy’s (Restaurant) for the Friday buffet or Josie’s (Mexican Food) on their chicken night. The women have sewing

groups in the clubhouse.” Besides eating seafood during the fall and winter months, campers also do puzzles and play cards, she said. Entertainment amenities include expanded Cable TV and a clubhouse with satellite and cable TV, free Wi-Fi and a stocked fishing pond. Campers can also take part in a Cajun Shrimp Boil event, made with shrimp caught from Douglas‘ shrimp boat. Like Rosello and Jensen, what Walker enjoys the most about owning and running an RV park are all of the interesting people

she meets year round. “We know who is coming back by mid-August when their weather starts changing,” Walker said about Winter Texans. Other campers come from the metro areas of the state. “These people have lived in the hustle and bustle of Austin, Houston and San Antonio. They can come here and kick back,” Walker said. “They like us because we allow them to do that, but rules apply of course. They like Port O’Connor because everyone is pretty laid back.”

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Grapes grown at the Lavaca Bluffs vineyard and winery, located in Lolita. Lavaca Bluffs also features a tasting room. (Wave file photo) =

Lavaca Bluffs winery features locally grown fruits By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE The Gulf Coast is known for its beaches, bays and catches of the day, but for its wine? Doug and Beth Reed, who live near Lolita, are the proprietors of the Lavaca Bluffs vineyard and winery, housed on the Lavaca River. For almost two years, their goal has been to change that perception. The retired educators purchased a Frels Landing homestead, which is part of the original Stephen F. Austin Old 300 land grant, nestled between Calhoun and Jackson counties, in 1998 from a descendant of the early settlers to the area because of its view, its history and its people. Little did the couple know that the land would provide a winemaking opportunity. The couple planted their first grapes in 2006. Six miles south of Palmetto

Bend Dam and Lake Texana, hardy grapes thrive in the sun and strong coastal breezes off the Gulf of Mexico and Lavaca Bay, six miles to the south. The Reeds grow the mustang grape, a native North American grape, the Lenoir or Black Spanish grape, the Blanc du Bois, a white grape, and a rare “convent” grape to make their wines. In the 1800s, a Catholic order of French nuns brought the convent grape to South Texas to make sacramental wine. The Reeds make a red wine called “Lost Mission” from the convent grapes as well as a blush called “Sister’s Mission.” Those wines are in limited supply. They also make wines from other locally grown fruits such as peach, pear, mulberries, blackberries and plums. The wines run the spectrum from dry to sweet. The historic names used in the wine labels reflect grape or wine

types. For instance, “Texana” is used for native mustang grape wines and local fruits, “Casa Blanca” for Blanc du Bois, “Lavaca” for Black Spanish or Lenoir and “Navidad,” “La Belle” and others for wines blended with local and Texas fruits. Names for their wines include “Bone Dry Blanc,” “Indianola,” “Lavaca Rose,” “Half Moon Merlot” and “Puerto Lavaca” to name a few. The winery also features a “Port Aransas,” which is a white Merlot, a “Lolita’s Blush,” made with a favorite grape from Hallettsville, and “Indian Point,” another blush. “We also have a mustang grape port. The label is approved, but the wine is not ready yet. We hope for it to be ready by Christmas,” Beth Reed said. The winery is part of the Texas Independence Wine Trail that kicked off in mid-October. The trail runs from Lolita to La Grange. The winery is also part of the Go Texan Wine Passport

Program, a free downloadable application that shows the locations of wineries in Texas. The winery also features a tasting room, which enables the Reeds to interact with the public. “We’ve expanded our tasting room area by more than twice its size. We also have live music every other Sunday,” Reed said. Tasting room hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday. All other times are by appointment only. For more information, call 361-874-4663 or email dreed@ lavacabluffs.com or bethreed@ tisd.net. IF YOU GO: To get to the winery from Port Lavaca, take State Hwy. 35 north to Point Comfort, turn left (north) 10 miles on Farmto-Market Road 1593, one mile south of Lolita turn left (west) on County Road 426 1.6 miles, then right (north) 0.2 mils on Private Road 4261.

can include up to three people. “It’s a great way to spend a weekend,” Plunkett said. “And a discovery flight makes a great gift for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas.” The air center has also gained

notoriety in the past year due to Stanger’s flying success. Stanger and her teammate for two years, Victoria Holt, won the Air Race Classic in June 2012. The team, then known as The Racing Aces, claimed the title against 57 teams in the four-day air race. The race began in Arizona and ended in Ohio. The all-female race got its start in 1929, and was originally known as the Women’s Air Derby. The Racing Aces raised $5,000 through the race in 2012. The funds raised went into a scholarship fund, which was given to Whitney Brouwer, a student at LeTourneau University. Stanger also competed in the 2013 air race. Over the past few years, the air center has also earned plenty of other awards. The air center was named the “Business of the Year” by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce in 2011, and earned the most improved award in 2009 from the Texas Aviation Conference.

The Calhoun Air Center is a state-of-the-art flight center, offering flying lessons as well as full services for pilots. The center has made millions of dollars in improvements the past few years. The air center features a lobby and pilot lounge for comfort, a refreshment center and pilot briefing room. Other improvements include an expanded apron and new overlay for the runway. Upgrades to the apron mean space for more planes and better drainage, and the new overlay allows access for larger aircraft. The airport also features a 24hour self-fueling station with guaranteed fuel prices, hangar space and a full flight-training school. Contact the Calhoun Air Center at 361-552-1228. The air center is located at 4876 Farm-to-Market Road 3084 in Port Lavaca.

AIR CENTER from page 42 which advance to the state level. The air center also hosts discovery flights, which are only $75. Those flights allow those interested in learning more about flying to get a closer look. The flights last about a half hour and

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Where to worship

POINT COMFORT First Baptist Church 201 Jones Street 361-987-2710

Six Mile Assembly of God

1111 N. Virginia St. 361-552-2556

5 miles north of Port Lavaca on FM 1090 361-552-5714

Services: Sunday – 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Tricia Tedrow

Services: Sunday School –9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m., Children’s Church 11:15 a.m. Sunday evening 6 p.m., Wednesday Meal at 7 p.m., Discipleship 7:30 p.m.

Hope Fellowship

Services: Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Time – 7 p.m . Pastor: John R. Fisher

St. Ann Catholic Church 700 Lamar Street 361-552-6140 Mass:

First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca

210 E. Main Street 361-552-5317

Pastors: Johnny & Bonnie Kisiah

Services: Sunday School – 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship – 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Brady Owens

Six Mile Baptist Church

Indianola Baptist Church 617 FM 2760 361-573-2954 (Pastor) Services: Sunday Bible Study – 10 a.m. Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. Sunday Evening – 6 p.m. Wednesday Services - 6 p.m.

Sunday – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday – 9 a.m.

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

Services: Sunday Worship – 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. David Bush

PORT O’CONNOR Fisherman's Chapel

501 South Second St. 361-785-5721 Services: Sunday School – 10 a.m. Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. Sunday Evening - 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m. (See ad on page 19)

First Baptist Church 302 West Dallas Ave. 361-785-3411 Services: Sunday – Groups for all ages 9:45 a.m. Worship - 11 a.m. Wednesday – “WOW Wild

First United Methodist Church 2nd at W. Baltimore 361-785-4621 Church/361-785-7078 Pastor

Services: Sunday Bible Study – 10 a.m. Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. Sunday Evening – 6 p.m Tuesday FBI – 7 p.m. Wednesday Services – 7 p.m. Friday Youth – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Services: Sunday Worship - 11 a.m. Feed My Sheep – 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. on third Tuesday of month Pastor: June Cantrell

Pastor: Rev. James Fowler

Pastors: Erny and Joane McDonough

Alamo Heights Baptist Church

Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church

Port O'Connor First Baptist Church

110 Trinity Shores Dr. 361-552-2532 www.ahbcportlavaca.org

415 West Austin Street 361-552-6140

410 W. Jefferson Ave. 361-983-2727

310 West Cleveland Street 361-552-6140 Mass: Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Thursday – 9 a.m. Saturday – 7 p.m. (Vietnamese) Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

83 Milam St. 361-893-5424

Mount Sinai Baptist Church

Services: Sunday Worship – 8:30 a.m.

e )

Marek Lane

First Assembly of God

311 Main St. 361-983-4240

Pastor: Frank Boldt

(See ad on page 39)

Seadrift

Pastor: Jim Gicklhorn

PORT LAVACA

419 Center Street 361-552-2094 Services: Sunday School – 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m.

Mass:

Services: Sunday Worship – 10:50 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.

Mon. - Fri. 8:05 a.m. Saturday – 5:30 p.m. Sunday – 8 and 10 a.m., Sunday – noon (Spanish)

Services: Sunday School – 9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 11 a.m. Sunday Bible Study - 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting - 6 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

Pastor: Rev. Donnie L. Martin

Pastor: Bro. J. V. Helms (Interim)

Church of Christ

Pilgrim Christian Church 1311 W. Austin St.

101 N. Washington 361-552-6140

Services: Sunday School – 9 a.m. Sunday Worship – 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Raymond Leonard

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

808 S. Hwy. 35 361-552-9551

Services: Sunday Bible Study - 9:30 a.m. Worship – 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study – 7 p.m. Minster: Shan Jackson

St. Patrick Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church Mass:

Saturday – 7 p.m. Tuesday – 6 p.m.

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9/30/13 Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013 1:29 PM

Seadrift home to new fishing pier

The new Seadrift Fishing Pier is open to the public 24 hours per day. (Photo by Kayla Meyer) By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE While in Seadrift, there are many things to enjoy – most notably a new fishing pier. The pier, located at A.D. Powers Bayfront Park, extends into San Antonio Bay at the end of 6th Street. The 300-foot pier is eight feet wide with a 12-foot T-head that is 50 feet long. The entire pier projects a total of 312 feet into the water from the seawall, Mayor

Elmer DeForest said. “We opened it on the Saturday before Labor Day. Currently, it’s open pending a final inspection from the contractor,” DeForest said. Once complete, there will be at least 12 concreted parking spaces available, with several of those reserved for handicap parking. DeForest added that currently, there are no plans for a fish cleaning station on the pier,

but it will have several trash receptacles at various points. He also said that eventually, the pier would also have interpretative signage. The pier also has lighting to allow people to fish at nighttime. “It’s open 24hours to the public. There are gates on it right now if needed to be closed by the contractor, but I don’t anticipate having gates in the future. The lights are on all night and they’re automatic. They go on at sunset and go off at sunrise,” DeForest said. “There’s usually always somebody out there on it most of the time,” he added. Also being constructed in Seadrift is a Visitors’ Center/Train Depot Museum. DeForest said it would be several months before it was open. “We’re still waiting on having the electricity hooked up and a meter started. Once the electricity meter is installed, we have people that are going to do volunteer labor,” DeForest said. “I would hope we have something completed by summer time.” He added that the visitors’ center would consist of mainly museum-type items “We have items to put in there and we have people willing to donate to put stuff in there as well. It is going to be museum-type stuff, consisting of pictures and historical information,” DeForest said.

UCC Seadrift Operations Proud to be a part of the Port Lavaca area since 1954

Like us on 52

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Dow has partnered with the community and CCISD to develop the Dow Sustainability Center at 900 N. Virginia St, Port Lavaca. It teaches about local industry and the environment, and is open to students and the public M-F 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

www.facebook.com/SeadriftOperations

Almost every crewman on a fishing boat in Seadrift harbor – oysterer, shrimper, finfisherman, crabber – will be in white boots. Formerly rubber, the modern boots are tough plastic. (Photo by Pat Hathcock)

These boots are made for shrimping By PAT HATHCOCK SEADRIFT – If you are new to the coast, you will soon notice an idiosyncratic bit of dress – the white boot. White boots are as certain an occupational marker as a white jacket with a stethoscope. You see a soul in a white jacket, you are likely looking at a medical professional; you see a guy [or occasionally a woman] wearing white boots and you are almost certainly looking at someone who works on the water harvesting shrimp, oysters, finfish or crabs. Generally they are called shrimper boots or by a jocular local nickname. Around Calhoun County they are sometimes called Seadrift ropers or Seadrift Tony Lamas. Down the coast a few miles, they may be Port Aransas Nikes. One state east and they are Cajun Reeboks. The Cajun Reebok name is current on Mobile Bay, according to Katy Petrovics of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, but they can also be Bon Secour Reeboks, named for a little shrimping village that sits 10 feet above sea level on a river feeding into the Mobile Bay complex. Call them what

you will, the white boots have a raffish, piratical look to them worn as they usually are, tucked into a pair of jeans faded by salt air. In wintertime, a sweatshirt completes the uniform, and in warm weather, a T-shirt – or not – and a “gimme” cap finishes the look. If you added a sheathed cutlass, given the weather-worn faces of watermen, you could imagine them on the deck of Jean Lafitte’s ship, The Pride, but if you engage a shrimper in conversation, you are as likely to find a poet as a pirate. Watermen are natural philosophers with a huge practical knowledge of wind, weather, water and wildlife, careful observers attuned to the annual rhythms of the bays where they work. They are also natural aesthetes who see the beauty in their workplace. At some point in the conversation you will hear a reverent soliloquy on the joys of being alone on the bay at 3 a.m. or the inspiration in seeing a sunrise over the water. White boots have not been forever the footgear of shrimpers. Poodle Wittnebert, Dennis on his birth certificate, is a big man, no kid but still powerful

looking, and a master storyteller. When he first set foot on a fishing boat’s deck in 1942, it was an unshod foot that he set. “We worked barefooted back then. The boots didn’t come until sometime maybe 50 years ago. Back in the early years money was scarce, and they cost $5 or $10 a pair. You didn’t just follow what other people did.” The practicality and protection offered by the boots soon outweighed the problem of cost. Wittnebert said, “They weren’t slick on deck. You could get around the catfish on deck and not get stuck,” referring to the pernicious hardhead catfish with their poisoned barbs. “You wear them looser than your regular shoes,” he said, “so you can kick them off if you fall overboard. Tall boots – hip boots or waders – they’ll fill up with water and drown you, but you can slip out of short boots.” Wittnebert recalls a boot story, a morning when he went overboard and lost one boot. Wanting to retrieve the boot, they tried to net it. “We dragged all day,” he said. “Other boats came along and dragged. We caught shrimp but nobody caught my boot.”

Besides shrimping, Wittnebert is a Baptist minister who has preached 142 funerals. He said that he sees his job in the pulpit is to comfort the grieving family. He has been known to point out in a funeral service for a shrimper that several of the apostles were commercial fishermen. Wittnebert and wife, Mary Jane, are relatively recently married. “When we got married some of her relatives came in wearing white boots, and they aren’t even shrimpers. They are farmers,” he said. Mary Jane, laughing, interjects, “Things are getting tough when farmers are marrying shrimpers.” Poodle’s past is shrimping but finds his white boots have other uses. “I wore out a couple of pairs of shoes working in the garden. That work’s hard on shoes, so now I wear boots.” There are possibilities in white boots beyond gardening footgear. In 2008, after Hurricane Katrina tore up southern Louisiana, the St. Charles Herald-Guide (“Serving St. Charles parish since the roads were See page 54

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Poodle Wittnebert uses white boots as gardening footgear and insists they are more durable than shoes. (Photo by Pat Hathcock) BOOTS from page 53 dirt”) published a story on “the traveling shrimp boots,” an art project by a St. Bernard Parish teacher who had students draw pictures on white boots showing what Louisiana means to them. If Midwesterners can paint on saw blades, why should not Cajuns paint on shrimper boots? The story also yields Chalmette Reeboks and Boudreaux Nikes as local names for the boots.

(The story may be found online at http://www.heraldguide. com/details.php?id=3825.) You can buy the boots almost anywhere on the coast. In some villages they are the only footgear you can find in town. They are cheap, for sale for $15 or $20 most places. An Amazon seller lists Boss boots and the small print reads that they are designed by Hugo Boss. This seems improbable, as Hugo Boss is a

high-end German fashion designer, but the idea of shrimper boots as a fashion statement has entertaining possibilities. One man from South Texas used to wear white boots out to the bars in Austin, adding another working-class icon to the Village People cast. And poster “Swells” on the 2coolfishing site put up a funny post a couple of years ago: “Anyone know where I can get a pair

of white shrimper boots? Seems like they’d be good for winter fishing in cold rough waters with good socks. “This is going to sound funny but I got a bunch of UT gals wanting them white shrimper boots too. It’s a fashion trend of some weird kind, and they don’t want no expensive mall stuff. “Plus I said they was good for catching tuna, sheep, and Aggies, and they was all over that. Serious, I’d like some for me and I’ll pass on any useful info ya got. Ugh, I hate to admit I’m buying a pair for my dawter, too. Easy on me, fellas.” Perhaps somewhere, in a place far from the bays of South Texas, there is an alert designer who has noticed the possibilities of white boots for the bigbuck customers. If you do not want to wait for that day, you can pick up a pair almost anywhere in Calhoun County. Even if you cannot get a deckhand job on a shrimper, your boots will make good rain boots, dirtdobbing boots, gardening boots, and best of all they will make you look a little bit salty.

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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Kayaking offers year-round coastal views By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Calhoun County has kayaking trails for water lovers to explore this fall and winter if they want to slow it down a bit and switch from a motorized boat to a kayak or canoe. “There is absolutely no reason a kayaker or canoeist cannot immensely enjoy this water sport in the fall and winter here, along the Texas coast,” said Willie Younger, the water activities director for the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center located near Bay City, who has kayaked in Calhoun County. “In fact, many, including myself, consider it to be the very best time to get out there. Realistically, summertime in South Texas is just too hot for any really pleasant paddling for more than an hour or two,” Younger said. “I prefer a sit-inside kayak, also known as a deck boat, which is usually a drier experience. But, most folks around here incorrectly assume they pose the unnecessary risk of being trapped inside should one capsize,” he said. Younger said quickly changing weather conditions are more worrisome in the fall and winter than kayak or canoe choice. “However, the lulls between fronts often present ideal conditions for paddling. But remember it could be warm and toasty when you leave out and find it has dropped 20 to 25 degrees very rapidly and become very windy,” Younger said. The sudden chill can be excruciating and potentially dangerous, he said. “Watch the weather closely (before departing and consistently during the trip) and always check the forecast before hitting the water,” he said. Younger said to dress appropriately while paddling and

avoid cotton attire because it will not dry if it becomes wet during rain, spills and paddle drip. “Evaporative cooling can lead to life-threatening hypothermia. Instead, choose quick drying synthetics as well as proper footwear (no flip-flops or sandals; dive/wading boots highly recommended),” he said. “The latter will help in avoiding injuries, such as oyster shell cuts, or losing one’s footwear in soft, mucky bottoms.” Younger said to take at least one additional layer of synthetic clothing in a dry bag along with a lightweight two-piece rain suit, with elastic or Velcro cuffs to keep water out. “Some refer to this must-takealong gear as a redneck wetsuit since it costs next to nothing ($20-$45) when compared to purchasing a worthy paddling suit ($250-$850),” Younger said. “Don’t forget that, in our part of the world, you can get sunburned and/or encounter biting bugs any time of the year. So bring along sunscreen and insect repellent,” he said. “But the most important supplies of all are ample drinking water and highenergy snacks, a must on every outing.” Safety is also a must while paddling, Younger said. Always leave a written and accurately detailed description of where you intend to put in and take out, your paddling route, color of your boat and when would be the very latest the person to whom you give this float plan can expect to hear that you have returned safely, Younger said. “Instruct the recipient to call the authorities if you fail to show or call,” he said. “As a back-up, carry your fully-charged cell phone in a dry box or bag especially made for them (a Ziploc bag will likely cause the death of your device). Paddle with a friend (preferably one that can assist you and/or

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

themselves should trouble arise).”

Calhoun County paddling trails

The Port O’Connor Paddling Trail consists of three trails totaling a little more than 25 miles. The Fishpond trail (12.3 miles) begins in Port O’Connor and travels through a number of bayous and cuts along the edge of Espiritu Santo Bay to Saluria Bayou, where it joins the 8.28-mile South Loop trail. From Mule Slough, the Fish Pond and North Loop (4.82 miles) trails continue east toward Sunday Beach on the Gulf of Mexico and to Lighthouse Cove, near the historic Matagorda Island Lighthouse. Donna Pyle, of Port O’Connor, who is treasurer for the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce, said the Port O’Connor Paddling Trail is one of the most beautiful and unknown trails along the Texas coast. “Fishermen, bird watchers and kayakers out for the day enjoy these waters,” Pyle said. “The small islands that border the trail and Matagorda Island support a wide variety of shore and migratory birds and 19 federally listed threatened or endangered species. The area is also known for redfish, speckled trout and drum.” The northern end of Matagorda Island is now managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Wildlife Management Area. Camping is permitted. “The scene of fighting during the Civil War or the Confederate trench lines can still be seen here,” Pyle said about the northern end of the island. “Use of the picnic area near paddling sign No. 35 is permissible for day-use as long as you stay in the campground area. While there are picnic tables at the site, there is no water or restrooms,” Pyle said. Pyle said while many coastal paddling trails are adjacent to public lands, some are adjacent to private property.

Photo by Kayla Meyer

“Please respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. Use of private land adjacent to the water without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing,” she said. Branching out from Port O’Connor, the low-lying areas around Indianola contain a number of small saltwater lakes and bayous. The Alamo/ Indianola/Magnolia Beach kayak trails were established to allow fishermen and nature lovers to explore these areas. In addition to fishing, the area is a well-known bird watching spot and includes several sites on the Texas Coastal Birding Trail. The Magnolia Loop is about two and a half miles long and loops around Old Town Lake and the adjacent bayous. The launch site is Magnolia Beach. Nearby bird watching sites include Magnolia Beach, Magic Ridge and the Indianola Bird Walk. The La Salle Loop is about three miles long and loops around Blind Bayou and then follows the bayou to Powderhorn Lake. There are two launch sites This trail is named for the nearby statue of the French explorer, Robert de La Salle. The Powderhorn Loop is about 12 miles long and loops around Powderhorn Lake and through Powderhorn Bayou. Launch sites for this trail can be found at the Indianola Fishing Marina, the Powderhorn RV Park and on Coloma Creek. Powderhorn Lake is also a popular birding area. The trails are short and long to fit a kayaker’s paddling preference, and they are marked. Signage includes the length of a trail. For information about boating safety and boater education, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at www.tpwd. state.tx.us or call (800) 792-1112.

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A waterway of Christmas cheer Photos by Bret Williams

Make plans to attend the Port O’Connor Lighted Boat Parade WAVE STAFF REPORT Port O’Connor the “Best Kept Secret on the Coast,” offers a unique parade of lights during the holiday season. If your holiday travel plans include a stop in Calhoun County, you will not want to miss the annual Port O’Connor boat parade slated for Saturday, Dec. 7. The Lighted Boat parade is held in conjunction with the Annual Toy Run from Freeport. “What an exciting day to see all these boats unload gifts for children less fortunate in Calhoun County,” said one local. “But wait, then they decorate their boats for the parade. What troopers they are for rain or shine the parade goes on.” Last year, over 30 boats participated to the delight of attendees. “We hope there will be more this year since the Houston Big Game Club is thinking about joining the Toy Run,” said Chairman Bill Tigrett. “We had boats as small as an 18-foot flounder boat all the way up to the 45-foot Coast Guard Cutter.” The Port O’Connor chamber welcomes everyone to participate. Participants may enter the boat parade by contacting Chairman Bill Tigrett at bill@tigrett. com or 361-983-2671 or the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce at poccc@tisd.net. Judging is based on Best Overall, Most Spirited, Most Unique, Best Commercial, Best Large Pleasure Craft, Best Medium Pleasure Craft and Best Small Pleasure Craft So drop in and spend a little winter time in Port O’Connor. The shops, motels and restaurants are open. Do a little fishing, bird watching, hunting, or just relax with a good book and look at the water. Bring a lawn chair to any of the bait shops to watch the parade it truly is unique experience and one that you will come back to every year.

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

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Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

Things to do from page 39 Plastics Corporation, the site provides a “wildlife sanctuary for indigenous wetland species, opportunities for wildlife education, and viewing access for birders and other enthusiasts,” reports Formosa Plastics. Crabbing Magnolia Beach is the place to be for crabbing and has its own crabbing bridge. It is a very popular place for all ages to enjoy. There are several other places along the waterfront to crab but be sure to visit the bridge. Community Gardens A very large community garden where residents can rent a small tract of land which is then theirs for the season to grow what they please. This allows people from the city a chance to grow their very own vegetables and share the experience with children. Wildflowers A drive down Texas Hwy. 238 towards Magnolia beach is a wonderful site to enjoy some Texas wildflowers and take some pictures to add to your memory book or scrapbooking pages. At the right time of year, stretch of highway is flush with Bluebonnets, Indian Blankets and so many more. Port Lavaca Art Guild The Port Lavaca Art Guild features great local talent. They have art classes, art shows and much more. These walls are climbing with works of art. Port Lavaca Peninsula A large area great for fishing, picnicking,

sightseeing, bird watching and enjoying the harbor area, this area is known for its great view of the ocean. Fishing in Port Lavaca Matagorda Bay, Espiritu Santo Bay, San Antonio Bay, Lavaca Bay and Caranchua Bay are full of redfish, shark, trout, flounder, pompano, gafftops, whiting, croakers, sheepheads, drum, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel and the silver king of game fish, tarpon. Calhoun County also offers the best natural passes or entries to the Gulf on the Texas Gulf Coast. Six Mile Where Six Mile creek empties into the bay is a prime fishing area as well as a hundred yards either side. This area also has a wadeable bottom and is a good place to find flounder bedded up at night. If fishing at night for trout, throw worm jigs, live bait under popping corks or plastic baits, with or without a popping cork. If reds or drum are your target, dead shrimp or cut bait (mullet, croaker, squid, crab) is good fished on bottom. Live mullet, croaker, perch, fished on bottom are also good for reds and drum, and possibly and occasional trout. If you bring a cast net, the boat slip is a good place to pick up live bait as well the shorelines are also a good spot. A prime spot is on either side of the road over the little creek seen just as you enter the park area. The Harbor A harbor of refuge was also created at Port Lavaca for the protection of boats during storms. In 1963, the Port of Port LavacaPoint Comfort was designated a United States customs port of entry. Calhoun County Museum The Calhoun County Museum

Calhoun County Life • Fall/Winter 2013

was

established in 1964 by the Calhoun County Commissioners’ Court. Originally housed in the 1896 Jail building it eventually moved to the Courthouse Annex Building and then to its present location.

Golf The 9-hole course at the Hatch Bend Country Club facility in Port Lavaca features 3,054 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Hatch Bend golf course opened in 1957.

Live Theatre Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre is a great showcase for local talent. A small group of passionate and dedicated people keep live theatre available in Port Lavaca. Several plays are performed throughout the year, including a children’s production during June.

Aransas Wildlife Refuge The Refuge Complex is comprised of over 115,000 acres including the Blackjack Peninsula (Aransas proper), Matagorda Island, Myrtle Foester Whitmire, Tatton and Lamar units. These areas provide vital resting, feeding, wintering and nesting grounds for migratory birds and native Texas wildlife. The refuge is world renowned for hosting the largest wild flock of endangered whooping cranes each winter. Other native species you can see on the Refuge include the American alligator, javelina, roseate spoonbill, white-tailed deer, armadillo and spectacular wildflowers.

Main Street Port Lavaca Main Street, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in September of 1989 to revitalize and preserve the historic downtown area of Port Lavaca. Due to the efforts of the Main Street Committee, the downtown area is once again beginning to thrive. The area hosts a variety of businesses and is home to the oldest business in Port Lavaca, Melcher’s Hardware, which has been serving customers since 1917 and has been proclaimed a historic landmark. Walking Track Lighthouse Beach Park has a mile long walking track. This track is along the water and boardwalk with a great birding view. Beachcombing Many locals and tourists love to just roll up their pants and walk along the beach. There are many findings along the beach. The fun will never end in the many things and stories people tell of their adventure of beachcombing. Sunrises and sunsets on the beach This is an experience in itself, looking out over the ocean and it seems the water touches the sun. No buildings, no cars, nothing for miles and miles, just you and serenity.

Main Street Gallery This gallery features so many pictures of the true history of Calhoun County, there are walls and walls of pictures featuring all you want to know about the area. Calhoun Air Center The airport was recently named the states most improved by the Texas Aviation Conference. It has been completely renovated and is up and running, stop in and check it out. Indianola Fishing Marina Tucked away at the very end of Highway 316 is a fisherman’s paradise. The marina sits between Powderhorn Lake and Matagorda Bay and is a prime spot for trout, redfish, flounder and even duck hunting. The lighted pier and covered patio are open 24 hours a day for anyone wishing to fish in the wee hours of the morning or even during a rainstorm.

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